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The Coronavirus Tests Free Speech

Appeared in Issues and Insights.  The coronavirus pandemic has revealed the absolute best in some of our fellow citizens. Chief among them, of course, are the selfless heroes working in the health care and first responder industries. Unfortunately, the pandemic has also shown the worst in others. Bigots and xenophobes have been harassing, shaming, and – quite literally – spitting on Chinese Americans and...

During the Police Brutality Demonstrations, Officers and Protesters Alike Target the News Media

“I’m getting shot!” screamed local Louisville TV reporter Kaitlin Rush while live on air.  An anchor back in the studio asked who the pepper-ball gun-wielder was targeting.  “At us!  Directly at us!” she replied.  The gun-wielder? A police officer.  In the mayhem surrounding the nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd, some of those targeted – by both police officers...

The Global Implications of the Coronavirus Pandemic on a Free Press

Among the many victims of the coronavirus pandemic is a free press.  Make no mistake, the press is not in nearly as precarious a predicament as so many other victims and industries, but at a time when getting truthful news to the public is paramount, it most assuredly is a victim. And yet at the same time, there are glimmers...

The Coronavirus:  Different Approaches to Informing the Public from Around the World, and the Ensuing Dangers

Update 2-29-20:   After the White House apparently muzzled Dr. Anthony Fauci and other leading government medical officials to avoid inconsistent messages about potential catastrophic pandemics, Fauci appeared on MSNBC to provide an update on the coronavirus outbreak.  A wise move, as the history of suppression of unwelcome news of global crises has shown. Lest there be any doubt about the...