A free press is an essential part of America’s greatness

President Donald Trump calls the media an “enemy of the American people.” I find these kinds of statements from our president truly appalling. The one thing that every rogue government in the history of this world has had in common is the suppression of the media.

Despots cannot deal with the free press holding them accountable. For anyone to take a broad brush and condemn an entire industry is wrong in so many ways. There may be some bad reporters who are not honest or proficient in their jobs, but they are in the minority.

In my long lifetime, I have enjoyed the reporting of some truly great members of the media — great reporters with impeccable credentials and unquestioned honesty. Yet they are lumped in with the “dishonest media.” This paper and many other sources of information are mainstays of my daily activities.

If I have any gripe with today’s media it is that some of what is going on is not fully explained. We need in-depth information on the repeal of a rule on coal mine discharges, which will ruin our waterways, and action by Congress that will allow certain severely mentally impaired people to buy guns (please, someone tell me and the victims of mass killings how that makes sense). We need more information on the total effects of the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, including what it will cost those of us who are on Medicare.

Each of the executive orders this president signs needs to be covered in depth. Is Mr. Trump and his unfiltered rhetoric really making America great? ALBERT STEELE

White Oak