A story published the evening of February 19th in “The Independent,” a daily news site in the United Kingdom, said, “Without even conducting a hearing, a Mississippi judge ordered a local newspaper to remove an editorial criticizing local officials over a lack of transparency.”
The Clarksdale Press-Register in Clarksdale, MS, deleted the editorial following an order handed down by Hinds County Chancery Court Judge Crystal Wise Martin.
The editorial, which rightfully criticized Clarksdale municipal leaders for their lack of transparency about a hearing on proposed tax increases, was met with an unjust order from Judge Martin. Her accusation of the paper’s ‘reckless disregard of the truth’ is a clear injustice.
The editorial read, “The notice was posted at city hall as required by law and said stated the city would ‘give appropriate notice thereof to the media. This newspaper was never notified. We know of no other media organization that was notified.”
Seth Sterns, Director of Advocacy for the Freedom of the Press Foundation, told The Independent, “It’s hard to imagine a more unconstitutional order than one compelling a newspaper to take down an editorial critical of the government. “
Causing the Press-Register to delete an editorial critical of the government comes from the highest form of censorship.
Community newspapers, like the Northshore Journal, focus on local news and information. They cover local government, schools, businesses, and community events. At its best, newspapers act as a watchdog and a platform for community dialogue. Good journalism emphasizes the stories, issues, and people that directly impact the lives of residents, fostering civic engagement and a sense of belonging.
According to a 2023 Northwestern University study, Minnesota has lost 34% of its newspapers since 2005, making it one of the states with the most newspaper losses per capita. More than 12% of local news outlets in Minnesota have closed since 2018.
The closure of community newspapers is a serious issue with significant consequences nationwide. The pace of closures has increased in recent years, leading to “news deserts,” communities with limited or no access to local journalism. Plummeting ad revenues, staffing shortages caused in no small part by declining revenue, and competition from other media have left community newspapers reeling and people without a vital source of information about local issues. Studies suggest newspaper closures can lead to lower voter turnout and less civic engagement. With fewer journalists, local government and other institutions have less scrutiny.
Censorship and intimidation of newspapers don’t help, but it isn’t new.
In August 2023, local police raided the Marion, KS, Marion County Record newspaper office and the homes of its staff. They seized computers, cell phones, and documents. The raid was initiated after Kari Newell, a local restaurant owner, accused the newspaper of illegally obtaining personal information about her. She allegedly had a DUI and DWS (driving while suspended) and was applying for a liquor license, and she didn’t want those charges to interfere with that application.
Eric Meyer, the newspaper’s publisher, acknowledged they had received information about Newell’s driving violations (she admitted to them in a meeting) but chose not to publish it.
Following the raid, Meyer’s residence was also searched. Tragically, Meyer’s 98-year-old mother, who was a co-owner of the newspaper, passed away the next day, with Meyer suggesting the stress from the raid might have been a factor.
Concerns were raised about potential police overreach and its chilling effect on journalism. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation investigated the raid, and special prosecutors were appointed to review the case. The investigation concluded that the newspaper had committed no crimes.
The case highlighted the importance of protecting journalists’ ability to report on matters of public interest without fear of intimidation or retaliation. It underscored the vital role of small, local newspapers in holding power accountable and keeping communities informed.
The raid on the Marion County Record is a significant event in the ongoing debate about press freedom and the relationship between local government and the media. Journalists should do their work without fear of reprisal.
In these conflicted times, the threat to journalism, a vital public service, endangers its vitality and very survival. Government employees are forced to sign so-called “Confidentiality Agreements” that make them reluctant to share information with journalists and, thus, the public. Good government requires the bright light of public scrutiny. With fewer newspapers and journalists, the light is dim, at best.
