You might have missed last weekend’s news about the Saturday death of 98-year-old Joann Meyer in the small town of Marion, Kansas. A former reporter, columnist, editor and associate publisher of the county’s weekly newspaper, The Marion County Record, she died at her home in mid-sentence, questioning a widely criticized raid the day before when local police and sheriff’s deputies seized computers, cell phones, documents and her Alexa smart speaker. While the cause of her death was not quickly confirmed, her son, the newspaper’s current publisher, said the local coroner concluded the stress of questionable searches contributed.
“She said over and over again, ‘Where are all the good people to put a stop to this,’” Eric Meyer told The New York Times. “She felt like how can you go through your entire life and then have something that you spent 50 years of your life doing just kind of trampled on like it’s meaningless?”
Marion police and county sheriff’s deputies also raided the newspaper’s office and the home of the town’s vice mayor in searches prompted by a complaint by a local restaurant owner who claimed identity theft of records that were legally obtained and verified by the newspaper, which decided to not publish a story. But last Friday, a local judge, who may not understand the subpoena process, issued a search warrant. Also in play: The newspaper was looking into the newly hired police chief’s past for a possible story. Coincidence or extra ingredient for thugism?
The whole mess, now a national First Amendment poster child about freedom of speech and freedom of the press, reeks of poor judgment and understanding of the role of a free press in a democracy.
Freedom of speech means you have the right to talk and write and to offer ideas and opinions without having to face punishment — or raids — from the government. There are limits, such as you are not supposed to spread lies, be reckless with the truth or be malicious. Other limits are related to obscenity, fraud, child pornography, incitement of lawless action (sound familiar in modern political context?), and violations of copyright or intellectual property. But the main idea is that Americans have a constitutional protection to write or say just about anything they want — without goons pounding at the door.
The press also enjoys constitutional protection and the vital social responsibility to publish truthful, objective information without restraint or censorship. That way, voters can make good decisions about public officials, elected and hired, and how they are running government in a civilized society. Fundamental duties of this “Fourth Estate” are to serve as a watchdog for a heavy — or light — hand of government and to offer a vibrant marketplace for ideas to stimulate society.
What happened in Kansas last week was a fundamental corruption of American freedom. As long-time members of the Association of American Newsmedia and the millions of readers of its member newspapers, we condemn the Kansas raids in the strongest possible terms. We also demand a full investigation into what happened and real consequences for any illegal actions.
The public has the right to know — in this instance and always.
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