Weekend Joe – Is Edwards Against a Free Press?
- dalton buchanan
- Jun 1
- 3 min read
"Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost." – Thomas Jefferson, 1786
Chuck Edwards recently ranted in an irony-filled opinion piece published by the Citizen-Times (link here). He claimed that mainstream media is biased and accused Americans of only consuming media that supports their existing biases.
Edwards called for “fair and unbiased news coverage” – something we can all support. In that spirit, would he be open to allowing opposing editorials to follow his own frequent constituent messages, which presumably use tax dollars to promote his point of view?
But here’s where it gets eerie:
"The media can shape people's beliefs and how they engage with those who disagree. If left unchecked, it’ll continue to pull America further apart; but if used responsibly, it can be a tool for bridging divides rather than deepening them."
The phrase that frightens me is, “if left unchecked.”
What exactly is Edwards suggesting?
Donald Trump has actively tried to repress the media – with baseless lawsuits, harassment of journalists, and barring reporters from the White House. Wealthy media owners are bowing to his demands to avoid costly legal battles. Trump has even called for revoking network licenses, which shows a shocking ignorance of how U.S. media regulations work (the FCC licenses individual stations, not networks).
Meanwhile, he attacks universities and celebrities, undermining freedom of speech. His war on the media is a dictator-like attempt to silence voices he doesn’t like.
Is Edwards joining these efforts? Should we interpret his silence about Trump’s attacks on freedom of speech and press as tacit approval?
Trump, a serial liar (30,573 falsehoods in his first term) and convicted sex offender, recently said:
"Those lying to the American people on behalf of violent criminals have to be held responsible by the Agencies and the Courts."
The hypocrisy is staggering.
Edwards also targeted social media, arguing:
"Social media has amplified division to unprecedented levels. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok use algorithms that prioritize content aligned with users' beliefs, creating echo chambers that deepen divisions."
Fair point. But Edwards forgets those platforms are owned by Trump supporters. Trump himself exploits social media to spread lies, suppress opposing views, and incite violence. He likely loves the algorithms Edwards complains about.
The irony in Edwards' editorial is thick. His claim that the media replaces policy discussions with "inflammatory soundbites, dramatic confrontations, and outrage" sounds more like a description of Fox News, a network that paid $787 million and admitted it lied about the 2020 election. Is Edwards turning on Fox?
One comment from Edwards made sense:
"Journalistic institutions must prioritize factual, balanced reporting over sensationalism. Viewers and readers must take responsibility for consuming a variety of perspectives. Social media should reevaluate algorithms that reward outrage over understanding."
If applied universally to all media, this is a point we can support. But my fear is that it’s a subtle argument for media control.
Why You Should Be Concerned
Our democracy depends on a free press – one that operates without fear of retaliation. Journalists provide you with accurate and complete information about government and policy.
Does the media need to improve? In some cases, yes. But do Trump or Edwards have the right to silence journalists or punish those who speak inconvenient truths? Absolutely not.
When leaders try to silence or co-opt the media, we risk sliding toward state-controlled propaganda, like we’ve seen under Putin, Hitler, and other dictators. This is a direct threat to democracy.
Americans deserve a free press – and we need to fight for it now, before people like Trump and Edwards dismantle it.
📖 Read the original editorial here:
Citizen-Times Opinion: Some Media Sensationalism Drives Political Division
📰 Support a free press:
Freedom of the Press Foundation
Or simply search “support freedom of the press” on Google
💬 Weekend Joe Contributors:
Carolann Connor – ccnana0920@gmail.com
Joe Elliott – ejoe2397@gmail.com