The Business of Journalism should be just that.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." -1st Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.

There's a little (but dangerous) initiative flying just below the radar screen in Washington which should trouble us all. Government is trying to "Re-invent" Journalism. It's a line they should not, and must not cross.

Here's just one article about it all, but in a nutshell here's what government wants to do to "fix" what ain't broken.

-Establishing news vouchers for citizens to support non-profit journalism. i.e. Public Broadcasting.
-A 5% sales tax on consumer electronics to pay for even more government owned broadcasting.
-A "News" Division of Americorps

Commercial broadcasters and print outlets are going through tough times. But they don't need "help" from the government. They'll figure it out. The founding fathers of this nation realized that a free, unfettered and INDEPENDENT press was critical to the success of the nation and our freedoms guaranteed by the 1st Amendment.

Please don't confuse this with an anti-government rant. (Although if you want to, that's fine too.) We need government to fix potholes etc, but not to fix journalism. I spent 20 years in the craft, including serving on the Board of Directors of the Radio-Television-Digital News Association which represents the interests of journalists. Our patron saint is Ed Murrow. Walter Cronkite sitteth at his right hand.

Anything, and I mean anything that somehow casts doubt, or restricts the ability of a free and open media to ask the tough questions, and then to report to us the answers, is a dangerous step towards erosion of our freedom of independent thought and exchange of ideas and opinions.

This also isn't against Public Broadcasting. Donate during their telethons, please. But I want a choice besides Public Radio and Television. You have your favorite news outlets, and so do I. They often may differ but the common theme we must embrace and protect is choice.

I have far too many good friends in journalism who work their rear-ends off to inform us. The last thing I want is for their stories to be approved by the government prior to air. Or to be charged a sales tax on a new television to pay for it.

Freedom starts with a free media. This "initiative" could be the beginning of the end of a free and open media.

Brian Olson
CEO and Founder
Conversation Starters LLC