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I remain inalterably opposed to any effort to license, register or require credentials for individual journalist as being unconstitutional. Freedom of the press belongs not to the "media" but to all people who have the capability to disseminate their version of the news and views.

Every citizen, therefore, should in a free and democratic society have the right to have access to the government, particularly the legislative branch, but also to the witness as much as possible the deliberations and efforts of the executive and judicial branches. It lies particularly with the legislative branch, especially in a representative republic, to conduct its affairs in an as open and transparent way as possible in order that the representatives may be held accountable to their constituencies. Anything that hinders this transparency, theoretically, should be considered unconstitutional and nothing should stand in the way for any citizen, either through designated representatives (lobbyists and journalists) or as individual to avail himself or herself to the ability to monitor the process in action.

If, for reasons of expediency and efficiency, the government through its agents seeks to ration access to its deliberations, then the credentialing process should not be limited only to those who are representatives of some designated media outlet that has government sanction either through a Second Class mailing privilege or an FCC license. Such credentialing, if deemed necessary should be open to all citizens governed by such a republic.

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