This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Our Founding Fathers, in their wisdom and foresight, endeavored to establish a separation of church and state, a basic tenet of our government, guaranteeing freedom and justice for all. No one entity, be it government, church or military, can seize power or impose their will upon the citizenry. A free and open discourse is essential among a free people.
From the dawn of our republic, "broadsheets" or newspapers have been central to the dissemination of information to the citizens. Known as the penny press, anyone could post a notice, whether it be a for-sale ad, an announcement or an opinion. Early on, the free press evolved into a watchdog of government — bringing information from behind closed doors and into the light.
Our right to information, open debate, and differing opinions uninfluenced by a single powerful entity via the free press is currently under attack in Utah. The Deseret News has worked behind the scenes with the Salt Lake Tribune's owner (a New York hedge fund!) to shortchange the Tribune. As a result, it is rumored that the demise of The Tribune is imminent, leaving Utah with only a single, and heavily-influenced powerful voice. In fact, it is already happening: recently (the Heber Valley) Wasatch Wave began delivering The Deseret News national edition in our local weekly paper, unasked, unwanted and unneeded.
Judith Griffin
Midway