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Recently, Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz decided to give a short speech about the role of journalism in a democratic republic during a “media release” with reporters at the Capitol. This exchange shows that there is work to be done to help the public and legislators better understand what the framers of the Constitution envisioned for the role of a free press.
Journalism is essential to democracy, but journalists and the public services they provide are under attack around the world. Threats and harassment range from murder, personal attacks on social media, defamation lawsuits, and media regulation in the name of controlling misinformation.
Hostility toward journalists is fueled by baseless statements like those made by Schultz, who accuse news organizations of self-serving reporting and pushing “political narratives” to generate “clickbait.”
In one such statement, Schultz said: “An email from the Salt Lake Tribune said our job is to hold elected officials accountable. No, your job is to report the news accurately and It’s about holding the people’s elected officials accountable.”
This is a distinction without a difference. Journalism is an important way for citizens to hold elected officials accountable. For Speaker Shultz, there are better ways to improve relations between Congress and the media and encourage discussion about journalistic ethics than by making inflammatory statements.
First, politicians need to understand that the term “news media,” as it is used by some, is a myth. It is foolish to assume that all reporters are pursuing a political agenda, both individually and collectively.
Asking tough questions is at the heart of journalism that gets results. Lawmakers of a much younger age got it right. At the opening of the British Parliament in 1771, politician Edmund Burke said, “In Parliament he has three estates; [sits] A fourth estate far more important than them all. ” Utah’s Fourth Estate is no different.
Lawmakers may accuse journalists of wrongdoing, but they continue to create the need for watchdog reporting. For example, Utah’s open public meetings law 20 years ago provided only a few reasons for prohibiting citizens from participating in proceedings. The law is now packed with reasons to cancel meetings, resembling the proverbial block of Swiss cheese.
Similarly, over the past three decades, Utah lawmakers have turned the Government Records Access Management Act (GRAMA) into a black hole. This session is of particular interest. Jeff Hunt, a lawyer and open government advocate, said, “I can’t remember a Congress with so many bills restricting access to public records and meetings.” That’s amazing. ”
One bill would force college athletes to sign off on expensive NIL contracts To the general public. The second bill would make the amount of water used at public golf courses a state secret..Finally, another bill would completely exempt the potentially powerful Water Development Council from Utah’s open meetings law..
In the face of the growing secrecy of Utah state government, few checks and balances remain, except for independent journalism. Instead of blaming, maybe your legislators can help. A recent national study suggests that open government laws could be improved by regularly reviewing all the restrictions lawmakers have placed in the Sunshine Act.
Additionally, the Utah Legislature is controlled by a Republican supermajority, for better or for worse.
Without self-governance through political diversity, the supermajority will gravitate toward secrecy. Utah Republicans, for example, have insisted on holding their Senate and House caucuses in secret. Republican lawmakers have long ignored concerns that the supermajority’s closed-door meetings impede transparency. It’s just “party business,” they say. That may be the job of political parties, but it is not what is best for democracy.
And here’s the problem: When controversial bills come out of these secret caucuses, most Utahns rush through committees with almost no breathing room, let alone voice their opinions to their representatives. pass.
For example, both DEI (diversity, inclusion, and equity) bills and same-sex toilet fees A public hearing was held during the first week of the session, and less than two weeks later, Gov. Spencer Cox signed the bill.
There is not enough time for ordinary Utahns to understand and react to a bill like this. Imagine the howls that would erupt in the Utah State Capitol if a federal land bill affecting Utah were passed by Congress in just two weeks.
Utah government officials should shed outdated traditions and focus on leveraging new technology to increase public trust through increased participation and transparency.
They also respect the way Utah journalists do their jobs and explain why Utahns rely on the Fourth Estate (protected by the First Amendment) to hold government leaders accountable. need to understand.
Joel Campbell teaches media ethics in the BYU School of Communication. He also serves on the board of his KUER of Utah NPR and is a former public member of the Utah Supreme Court Ethics and Discipline Commission. The views expressed here are his own.
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