Development Journalism

The question is, when one advocates "development journalism," are you saying the government should be able to tell journalists what they may and may not publish, broadcast or post online?

Are you saying the government should control the journalists?

The idea is that it would be for the good of the country. Who needs all this sleazy media we have in the U.S.? Obviously, the press cannot control itself. It panders to the lowest level of human interest rather than to the public good, etc., etc. The obvious counter-argument is that if the government is muzzling the press, then who is making sure the government stays honest?

The idea of news media that do write about what good the government has done lately is not a terrible idea by itself. And the idea that by always focusing on discord, crime, ethnic conflicts, etc., the media only makes things worse is not a totally crazy idea.

The trouble is, you can't have it both ways. You can't tell the press what it can and cannot do and still have a free press.

I can empathize with a notion that endless criticism of policies makes the population feel hopeless. However, a muzzled press does not have the pulic's confidence -- so then, what use is it?