Free press

Regarding “Together, we must face the facts that may harm us” (Page A15, Friday), the author, Joe Jaworski, is highly respected as a mediator because of his ability to analyze contentious situations, separate facts from fiction and help contending parties find common ground. This clearly comes through in his discussion of the fragmented and contentious way our current society deals with political issues. As he points out, the fault lies with both conservatives and liberals. Let us add a small footnote to Joe’s observation. Our primary source of reliable information for anyone truly interested in determining truth remains the press, particularly newspapers, magazines and mainstream media relying on experienced journalists. Yet, whatever fragmentation arises from the unfiltered and blatantly extreme perspectives spewed out 24 hours a day by the internet, the biggest impairment to that search for truth is a president who has adopted a mantra of “fake news” in frequently baseless attacks on the journalistic profession. We have never before experienced someone entrusted with such a responsible position who has so blatantly and consistently attacked a primary pillar of our democratic republic.

As Joe points out, “Our cultural war is real, and its worsening.” The footnote is that the trend is being forcefully energized and exasperated by a president who apparently puts his own ego above a respect for the role of a free press and the pursuit of truth in utter insensitivity to the very people who dedicate their lives to the process.

Stanley P. Santire, Houston