Progress Now Action

Freedom of the press is critical to a democracy. Without it, the public cannot get the information it needs to make wise judgments. Look at the dying press freedoms in Russia today to see how quickly democracies erode without a free press.

Along with that freedom goes a tremendous responsibility. That is to tell the full story, not just one version of it, not just one side, not just what titillates the public. When the press ignores that obligation, we cannot learn the truth, often rushing to judgment based on bad or biased information.

Whether it’s an issue or a person, one-sided or opinionated reporting is unfair. Reporting should be balanced. If the story is intensely personal, one should ask: Is this something the public really needs to know? Opinions have their place on the editorial page, not in news stories.

Recently, the Colorado press attacked Judge Edward Nottingham for visiting strip shows and porn sites, courtesy of information provided by his estranged wife. As Jason Saltzman pointed out in the Rocky Mountain News’ “On the Media” column, the coverage was shameful. The press reports did not acknowledge that Judge Nottingham is a fair-minded and respected judge. His role as the tough arbiter of the Joe Nacchio trial somehow got lost in the rush to judgment about his personal life.

As Saltzman added, there’s no evidence that the judge did anything illegal or improper. Yet, the Post piled on again with a gratuitous repeat of the story at the end of a completely unrelated piece on Joe Nacchio’s appeal. If we want a high quality press, we should ask why someone’s personal life is any of our business, particularly when it has no bearing on the quality of his work. If the press felt compelled to expose Judge Nottingham, why didn’t they also report his very substantial contributions to the community and the rule of law?

Much more disturbing was the press’ treatment of Judge Larry Manzanares, accused of possessing a stolen laptop computer. In endless stories, not one discussed the enormous contributions this fine man made to our community. Where was the balance in this coverage? It’s not enough to trash someone’s reputation. The public deserves to know the full story and the press has the responsibility to report that.

In Judge Manzanares’ case, the overwhelmingly negative publicity drove him to such despair that he took his life. Larry was a thoughtful and highly regarded judge, a deeply committed community volunteer, a loving father, husband and friend. Only after his tragic death were there any stories about that side of Larry Manzanares.

In his eulogy at Judge Manzanares’ funeral, Governor Bill Ritter used a powerful metaphor. Larry was standing on the edge of a vast abyss, he said. Behind him was a raging forest fire--the press and a DA who insisted on revealing personal and non-pertinent information--threatening to devour him. Larry’s family and friends were on the other side of the fire, calling out to him to come back. But, Larry couldn’t hear them as the conflagration roared ever closer to him. He chose the abyss over the horrors of the forest fire. Is that really the role of a free press—to be the forest fire that consumes good people?

Whether it’s stories about respected judges or political figures in the upcoming elections or Colorado citizens in their daily lives, the press is obligated to provide balanced, fair coverage. If there is something negative to report, there is almost certainly more to the story than just a nasty accusation. A free press in a democracy is responsible for making sure the public knows the full story.

The press has enormous power to turn individuals into heroes or demons. They should do neither. They should just report accurately. Our democracy depends on the press’ taking that responsibility seriously.