Not Taking the Fifth on the First
Janet Kuypers
10/17/25
I have already read of the study that found that
Radical right populists deliberately undermine
Democracy with misinformationI... but while
Journalism courses through my veins, I hoped
Freedom of the Press was still sacred ground.
...But I should have learned better, when the
Current president deduces that Fox news is the
Only news he’ll watch, though the settlement for
Dominion Voting Systems v. Fox News Network I
Proved Fox was not truthful in relaying news... but
Fox was able to protect their remarks, no matter the
Truthiness, by claiming them not freedom of the
Press but as Free Speech, so... truthiness be damned.
This makes this theatre that is our country now perfect,
That Trump chose a Fox news morning talk show
Talking head, former Army National Guard officer
Pete Hegseth, as the Secretary of Defense. Sure,
Trump wants to switch the name to the Department of
War III, because if Washington did it during wartime,
let’s declare ourselves in word as proud bullies again.
So, yes, this “theatre” is just like the theater, from an
Outsider’s view, it’s almost entertaining, until I heard
Hegseth (maybe to try to remove leaks?) demanded
Pentagon reporters would pledge to not use any unauth-
orized material, otherwise hand over their press badges.IV
My journalism blood pressure rose in this political heat,
But it didn’t boil over and started to simmer when I heard
Nearly every news outlet refused to sign. I’m sure Hegseth
Prefers stenographers parroting press releases instead of
Reporting, but we have to be to be government watchdogs.
Even with our hands tied behind our backs, we have to
Get to the truth. So far, we’ve seen mid-decade redistricting
To pass exorbitant spending bills, we’ve seen the rights of
Over half the nation taken away from them, and then you
Say we should only report what you say. Last I checked,
Us reporters have a way of getting under people’s skin
to get to the real story, and you may not like that because
Of the choices you make — if Fox news can exploit the
First Amendment’s freedom of speech to get away with
Lying, then we have every right to desperately cling to the
First Amendment’s freedom of the press. We have every
Right to call you out when we end up finding evidence to
support the evility of your ways. Because your ultimate
Power gives us the ultimate responsibility — to the benefit
Of everyone in this country, and not just your select few.
I https://www.uva.nl/shared-content/uva/en/news/news/
2025/01/radical-right-populists-deliberately-undermining-
democracy-with-misinformation.html?cb
II https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_Voting_Systems_
v._Fox_News_Network
III https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/
09/restoring-the-united-states-department-of-war/
IV https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5555797-
media-outlets-decline-pentagon-policy/
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