The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Any student of American history understands the importance of inform4ed citizens. Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison and others of our founding fathers were great purveyors of information. Not only did they use newspapers, but on occasion resorted to publishing their own using assumed names. Jefferson in particular believed the free exchange of ideas was essential to a free democratic government.

When I was a child, our family would gather by the radio to hear the six o’clock “news.” Gabriel Heater and later Walter Cronkite would report current important happenings. Most Americans had faith that the “news” was accurate.

Today, hosts on the multiple channels referred to “shows” not “news.” Instead of instilling confidence that we are hearing the truth, we are having more trouble in finding it. By using multiple sources and common sense, however, we can still discover what is really happening. It is necessary, if we want American democracy to survive.