[counterpunch]

"In our system, the press has the role of..."
Generations of journalists spoke confident sentences like that. The press is a vital check on power. It's quasi Constitutional.

The press, last time I checked, is not elected. They are self-appointed, and their power is purchased.
Each and every one of us whose voices are silenced ask ourselves at one time or another "why don't I have the power to shape the debate?"
And we always come to the same conclusion: "Because I cannot afford to buy the New York Times."

[ZULU]

You are correct and so is Our President.

There is absolutely NOTHING in the Constitution which regards the press as quasi-constitutional. If that were the case, so would organized religion, as the Constitution protects that also.

The major media in the past - MANY, MANY years ago, provided the public with a balanced viewpoint on most subjects as there really were, once upon a time, major Repubican news papers. Today, most major media organs are trasnparent extensions of the Democratic party and apologists for the liberal position on every subject.

They DO NOT represent ME! Goerge Bush does. I elected him.

[7thson]

But we have the power of the Internet. Drudge was one of the firsts. Jim Rob was another one. How many of us on FR knew of the same voices that exist prior to FR? With the PC, we have the Internet and can create our own newspapers.

[Ichneumon]

The press, last time I checked, is not elected. They are self-appointed, and their power is purchased. Each and every one of us whose voices are silenced ask ourselves at one time or another "why don't I have the power to shape the debate?" And we always come to the same conclusion: "Because I cannot afford to buy the New York Times."

Very well said.