Speaking freely

I urge all journalists and citizens to pay attention to David Shaw’s column (“A Skeptical Journalist Isn’t an Unpatriotic One,” April 20). Since 9/11, and particularly during these past six months, the climate in our country has become increasingly repressive. Ed Gernon (fired via CBS/Viacom), Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, the Dixie Chicks and Bob Scheer are only a few who have been subject to intimidation and reprisal for voicing their opinions.

The democratic freedoms of speech, thought and assembly that the Bush administration declares it wishes to bring to Iraq must begin and be maintained here at home.

Freda Shen

Toluca Lake

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Everyone at our house (ages 85, 72, 61) appreciated Shaw’s column. Not only do we fully support the important idea that it is patriotic in the best and most completely American sense to be critical of the government, but we actually feel that the media have been too timid in this regard.

As he notes, print journalists do a better job of it -- but even they aren’t doing the deep investigative work that needs to be done. No doubt that is because the organizations for which they work would not tolerate it, but still the results are the same -- a superficially informed public.

Ken and Barbara Tye and Sylvia Benham

Orange

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As one of the founders of USA Today and later having worked with CNN, I’m not going to rail on about how much I agree with David Shaw. Just know that I do -- in spades.

It’s not enough that real journalism is being drowned out by cable, most broadcast news, right-wing radio and an administration that makes Nixon’s look open, but even leading print outlets are jumping on that hideous bandwagon too.

As Shaw asked, “Journalists are unpatriotic?” I don’t know about that, but some half-baked managing editors must think so.

James D. Gath

Beverly Hills