How Would You Rewrite the Constitution to Curb the Unchecked Power of the Media-Marilyn vos Savant

Parade magazine ^ | 1/19/03 | Marilyn vos Savant

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This is the lead question in the "Ask Marilyn" column in today's Parade Magazine.

When our forefathers were forming this nation, they never could have conceived of the power of present-day news organizations and the media, all in the control of relatively few people yet with a tremendous power to influence voters. I feel there would have been something written into the Constitution in consideration of what seems to be the one "unchecked power" in our nation. Do you think it would be possible to amend the Constitution and maintain "freedom of the Press?" If so, how would you write such an amendment? (city unknown)

Marilyn's response: Before I answer, I'd like to hear from readers on this subject. Write or send email to the address at the end of this column. (marilyn@parade.com)

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Marilyn vos Savant gives us Freepers an excellent opportunity to voice our opinions about what should be done about the left wing press. The fact that she invites such comments gives us an indication of how she feels. I hope we can read a bunch of Freeper ideas in an upcoming column in Parade Magazine. Can someone not as html impaired post the email link for convenience? Have at it gang.

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[Bobby777]

post the email address and I'll convert it to a clickable link ...

[RLK]

I have been considering this for years. Television is a virtual reality which creates candidate/issues and has become a de facto government. I don't know how to counter it.

[Mike Darancette]

I wouldn't change a word. Being pissed of at a free press from time to time is the price we pay for having a free press.

[solzhenitsyn]

I wouldn't touch the First Amendment. The correct response to liberal dominance of the press is to fight back with words and ideas. Rush Limbaugh's doing a great job, among others. Political censorship of any kind is not the answer.

There's nothing in the world more powerful and persuasive than the truth. As long as the truth is told, it will eventually win out.

[The UnVeiled Lady]

I'm less worried about the media than I am about the Congress taking more than they should.

Maybe a felony for those who break their oath to uphold the Constitution?

[Abcdefg]

The solution is already in the Constitution: limited governmental powers.
The way things stand now, very few people (hardly any in government) respect the Constitutional limits on federal power. The States are almost powerless today and most people think they are mere provinces of the "Federales".

[solzhenitsyn]

Beat me by two minutes! You're exactly right.

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marilyn@parade.com

[Bobby777]

looks like the auto-detect HTML, did it, ummm, automatically! ...

[solo gringo]

If they could not tell the truth bar them from the air.No left wing reporting are out and out lieing

[Domestic Church]

The very idea of rewriting the Constitution is evil. The problem is not the Constitution, but alongside the media, part of the problem is the orchestrated dumbing down of the public over the past 70 years combined with the sped up pace of day to day life which doesn't allow for real debate and thought.

The real problem is the infiltration of socialism and the extent is astounding. Look at an old thread for the goals of the communist party regarding the USA:

http://www.FreeRepublic.com/forum/a3a2d1c346bcc.htm

[PhilipFreneau]

When our forefathers were forming this nation, they never could have conceived of the power of present-day news organizations and the media, all in the control of relatively few people yet with a tremendous power to influence voters. I feel there would have been something written into the Constitution in consideration of what seems to be the one "unchecked power" in our nation. Do you think it would be possible to amend the Constitution and maintain "freedom of the Press?" If so, how would you write such an amendment?

Include a clause that forbids lies, distortions, or half-truths. Also include a clause that requires all so-called "journalists", "analysts", "reporters", etc., to proclaim their political affiliation (e.g., how they have voted, and who they have supported) on each broadcast. This would be similar to the recent SEC rule that requires so-called "stock analysts" to declare it they have business affiliations with a company whose stock they are promoting. In general, make the penalties for lying severe (with "lying" defined as lies, distortions, half-truths, or failure to proclaim underlying political or financial affiliations or incentives). This would be in line with the penalties Jesus has promised for lying, as follows: "

"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." [Revelation 21:8]

"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." [Revelation 22:14-15]

[Karsus]

I would chance nothing. If we start changing the 1st adm that would make us worse then they are...

[RAT Patrol]

I think the power information control has on the whole political process cannot be ignored. It is an intregal part of the balance of power idea. That's why it was so important to the founders that we have a free press. A press dominated by one ideology is not a free press.

[Karsus]

You have just banned any politician from being on the air that has said we had a surplus/paid down the debt. That would be JUST A LITTLE overreaching.

http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/opd/opdhisto4.htm

[Karsus]

Then what do you think about the FCC rethinking the ownership rules? What about what clearchannel has done to radio?

[solzhenitsyn]

"Include a clause that forbids lies, distortions, or half-truths."

That could be so deadly to the truth and to human freedom. How many honest men have tyrants imprisoned for telling "lies, distortions, or half-truths"? Truth and common sense are persuasive enough on their own; no enforcement is needed from the courts.

We do already have laws against libel, but it's nearly impossible under those laws to get a conviction. That's probably a very good thing.

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I agree with you on all three counts, D.C. The constitution will never be changed to accomodate this idea, our population is dumbed down much more than I would have ever believed ten years ago and we are slouching toward socialism more each year. The trend must be reversed and even the "genius" marilyn vos Savant won't have an answer for that.