If the world is ending, act like it
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Last week, Jamie Brough ran a column where he agreed with Bill Nye, arguing that CNN should not allow scientists who disagree with global warming to share their views.
Brough was 100 percent correct when he said CNN is under no obligation to allow a dissenting voice because freedom of speech does not apply to a private business like CNN. Freedom of speech is a government rule. The government cannot silence free speech. CNN can, the Lake Powell Chronicle can and any private business can. That is a fact.
But where Jamie and Bill Nye get it wrong is the idea that a media organization — whether CNN, the Lake Powell Chronicle or any others — that trumpets free speech as to protect its ability to do its job should shut anyone up if they don’t agree with them.
At this paper, I decide what runs and doesn’t run in the paper. If I wanted to stop dissenting opinions, half the letters or guest columns that run in this paper would never see the light of day. But because I agree in free speech, I run all viewpoints, even when I disagree with every word.
In fact, if I made everyone who submitted things agree with me, Jamie’s column would have never run.