I heartily agree with the Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010, editorial. We should consider the presence of The Iola Register in our community as a blessing this Thanksgiving.
It brings us local, state, national and world news and generously reports on activities and happenings of local individuals, organizations and businesses. It is part of the glue that holds us together as a community. Thought provoking and well-written editorials on many topics are offered for our consideration. (I confess that I disagree with many of the political conclusions of those editorials.)
We should not take this blessing for granted. Many communities our size no longer have a newspaper.
The role of keeping an eye on public business is a valuable service to any community and I believe The Iola Register takes this role seriously and the community has benefited from its diligence.
I firmly believe that there are others that similarly consider the watchdog role a serious commitment to the community and nation and serve as important allies to newspapers in this regard. Some that come to mind are radio, television and cable and Internet news organizations, as well as other research foundations that have uncovered and reported on matters that needed to be exposed.
Even the greatest reporters or investigative journalists will — whether or not admitted — have some degree of bias based on life observations and experiences, even if they endeavor to report the news “straight.” Therefore, none of these sources should be summarily dismissed or excluded, but the reader, listener or viewer must carefully consider possible motivations of the re-porters.
I stand shoulder to shoulder with Mr. Lynn in his emphasis of the vital importance of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. That amendment is equally applicable to all of us, including those referred to in the above paragraph. Along with guaranteeing the free press, that amendment provides that Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech. May it always be so.
Your dear reader,
Andy Dunlap
Iola, Kan.
