SIX DECADES OF CENSORSHIP

Opinion

 

SIX DECADES OF CENSORSHIP

 

More and more, it is coming to the light that the “free” press is pressured and controlled by the corporations that own the media. These corporations have most likely “bought and paid for” the candidate of their choosing and demand that the spin to always be in said politico’s favor.

The only way to get real news about the United States and what is really happening in the world is to go to a foreign or alternative news source. These sources are less likely to candy coat or spin the issues. It can be a real eye opener.  

Should a journalist here in the US try to step out in an unpopular truth, they will be quickly squashed and suppressed. The bosses get the tongue lashing from the political power. That defecation rolls down hill and so on.  However, this is not new, but it is only worsening.

If anyone remembers Richard Nixon and the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, the point is easily proven.

The Smothers Brothers found themselves in direct conflict with the CBS’ network censors. The show catered to the counter culture that was sweeping the country in the late 60’s and early 70’s.  Regardless of the controversy, the show was hilarious and wildly popular with viewers.  The guests and writers of the show were mostly against the mainstream.

The president, Richard Nixon, was often the butt of many jokes. The Vietnam War was another unpopular issue that was bandied about in satire.  In fact, a documentary on the show and its’ suppression has been aired on Public Television with Tommy Smothers narrating.

Not only was their show pulled from the air by the powers that be, the Smothers Brothers were blocked from having other shows. They were more or less black balled from the entertainment field.

Another example that comes to mind is the movie starring Robin Williams called Good Morning Vietnam.  Loosely based the experiences of an AFRS DJ during the Vietnam War, 

Adrian Cronauer is a very popular military DJ, played by Williams. He is frustrated at his inability to report the actual news. The military censors received the telex reports of the happenings in the area. They crossed out anything that would be considered controversial. The denouement of the movie occurred when Robin Williams’ character refused to be censored and reported all of the news which was forbidden.

An article written on LiberalOutcast.com entitled Liberal Blogger & Journalist Shows How Most News Is Controlled For Political Purposes by is an example of the frustration and awakening of a liberal writer.  Being a liberal is usually a pass to say what is on your mind without any road blocks. However, even the liberals in the press corps are herded toward the vision statement and political leanings of the powers that be.

Recently. Judge Jeanine Pirro was pulled from the Saturday Night Line Up on Fox News Channel on the 9 o’clock slot between Jesse Watters at 8pm and Greg Gutfield at 10pm..

Her First Amendment rights were taken away as Fox News was concerned about her comments about the actions and comments of Ilhan Omar, freshman Congresswoman. Ilhan Omar is out talking freely about her Anti- Semantic views yet Nancy Pelosi cannot bring herself to call her out by name, but Judge Jeanine is pulled from her very popular show because no one wants to offend a Muslim or their beliefs.

It is hard to explain how the news companies have traveled from the horrifying and tragic events on 9/11/2001 to where they tiptoe about in fear of being called a racist, an Islamophobe, any other kind of “phobe” etc.

Perhaps the people who died on this date are no longer important. Or perhaps, the last administration was so caught up in Islamic adoration that everyone was indoctrinated?

How can we have a free press if it is controlled?

Have we already lost the First Amendment?  

In Idaho it definitely was for a moment. The governor signed a cancellation of the 1st Amendment into law.  The Ag-Gag law will jail anyone who does undercover filming inside production areas where animals are husbanded.  In no way is it advocated to abuse animals but it is understandable that a business would not want their operations filmed if there are industry secrets that could be copied. However, the law was in direct opposition of First Amendment rights.

However, the law was later overturned by a Federal Judge, citing it violated free speech. https://www.democracynow.org/2015/8/4/headlines/idaho_judge_overturns_ag_gag_law_citing_free_speech_rights

All that being said, it is completely irresponsible to pass a law that restricts free speech.  How can the truth reach the masses if it is controlled?  

The social media platforms are in a state of conflict with the First Amendment of late as they have set up algorithms to control Conservative views. Twitter will ban anyone for life if they please, YouTube takes away one’s ability to make money from their videos, Facebook will “review your post” if it is controversial.

Seems everyone who is of a conservative mind must be controlled by the Left, who are allowed free rein of their tongues, a privilege that is now denied to anyone on the Right or a Republican.

The country is in a sorry state that has been on the downhill slide for six decades where freedom of speech is concerned.  One trembles to think what will happen if it is not checked in a hurry. Everything the United States has ever stood for is at stake here.  Please stand up and be counted. Fight for our First Amendment rights.

 

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