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Posted on 06/24/2012 7:39:26 PM PDT by grey_whiskers
The relationship between governments and the press has always been recognized as a matter of large importance. Wherever despotism abounds, the sources of public information are the first to be brought under its control. Where ever the cause of liberty is making its way, one of its highest accomplishments is the guarantee of the freedom of the press. It has always been realized, sometimes instinctively, oftentimes expressly, that truth and freedom are inseparable. An absolutism could never rest upon any thing save a perverted and distorted view of human relationships and upon false standards set up and maintained by force. It has always found it necessary to attempt to dominate the entire field of education and instruction. It has thrived on ignorance. While it has sought to train the minds of a few, it has been largely with the purpose of attempting to give them a superior facility for misleading the many. Men have been educated under absolutism, not that they might bear witness to the truth, but that they might be the more ingenious advocates and defenders of false standards and hollow pretenses. This has always been the method of privilege, the method of class and caste, the method of master and slave.
(Excerpt) Read more at calvin-coolidge.org ...
AMAZINGLY timely for something eighty-seven (hmm, fourscore and seven) years ago.
Cheers!
Cheers!
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BUMP!
Thanks for the ping!
Coolidge expressed hope that the newspapermen were partners in educating the public to vote thoughtfully and responsibly.
He seemed to have great faith that the publishers were striving for the truth (though often biased and falling short of the mark).
What would Coolidge say about newspapers/broadcast media/journalism today?
” The chief ideal of the American people is idealism. “
A lesser-known quote of his but one worth remembering.
Thanks for the ping!
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