Freedom of the Press, protected by the Constitution of the United States, may be the citizens' most important defense against oppressive government, corrupt officials and predatory corporations. Not only must the press be free, but also independent. Government control of mass media was extraordinary in the now defunct USSR. Even today, dictators in many countries close newspapers and liquidate journalists. In the face of scripted press conferences and selective leaks, the press must endeavor to be independent. The increasing concentration of news media held by large corporations is a threat to a free press. That coupled with corporate emphasis on profit threatens the independence in the pursuit of truth. Cedar Key News, a non-profit membership organization, is free of government and corporate control. Should we fail to report problems, we encourage our readers to use letters to the editor to identify and offer solutions to the problems they find. By whatever means, we hope to carry on and protect the tradition of a free and independent press in America. | 