by Roslyn Moran

Created on: May 28, 2011

The media shouldn't have complete freedom of speech.  There are confidential and sensitive issues now especially when it comes to Military missions.  I'm guessing that there is a gray area where the media should be welcomed, limiting some of their freedom of speech.  I say that there should be news coverage of about 75% of the newsworthy stories while leaving the rest discretionary and out of the general public's knowledge.

Not all stories should be revealed to the public.  Discretion is needed.  With so many news channels nowadays, I flip through them seeking the truth.  But sometimes I can't help but believe that some news stories would be better off unkown to the general public.  What about copycat crimes where an original criminal incident went duplicated by the knowledge of the previous crime committed.

And too, there are times when a person's privacy is invaded by the media.  In efforts to seek the truth in stories, some information may be wrongly exposed and damaging to the party concerned.  There has to be some safeguards for individuals that are innocent bystanders.  Thus, lessening the complete freedom of speech.

There are trials going on nowadays seeking a jury that is unfamiliar with the swaying media stories.  It is increasingly difficult to find unbiased jury duty members.  With the news coverage of innocent victims brings out dramas that should be left out of public eye.  There has to be privacy in some manner.  And more truths would unfold knowing that the whole world wouldn't also know.

In seeking truth in the media, there should only be partial freedom of speech.  That 75% known newsworthy stories to the general public is enough.  Let the other 25% of the news stories go uncovered where issues are confidential, sensitive or original.  We have enough entertainment nowadays where we can stand to see most of the media news coverage.  We can forgive and forfeit some knowledge that deserves privacy from the media.  The media shouldn't have complete freedom of speech.

Have you heard the expression that some things are better left unsaid?  Or, if you don't have anything nice to say don't say it?  The same thing applies to the media.  Sure a person can say anything, anytime, anywhere but we don't have to cover it.  We have to use discretion where the general public won't benefit from exposing 'all' news stories.  Some news stories should remain private even if it limits the freedom of speech.

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