Dusty Johnson: “It was Thomas Jefferson who said that, if he had to choose, he would prefer newspapers without government over…”

“It was Thomas Jefferson who said that, if he had to choose, he would prefer newspapers without government over government without newspapers. Now, that is quite a dramatic statement, but I think it highlights how critical journalism is to holding government accountable. Indeed, as my lapel pin notes tonight, ``Democracy demands journalism.'' Now, journalism is not a comfortable duty. I suspect every good reporter has faced the wrath of a wronged politician and has had disgruntled viewers or readers or listeners cancel their patronage. It is tempting for us to be among the disgruntled, but if we want a free society, we have to support a free press, one whose loyalty is not to partisan endeavors or to stoking division and conflict but, rather, is to the truth. Yes, Madam Speaker, democracy does demand journalism. ____________________”