Mediaboss Marketing

The Providence JournalJournalists need to step up their game

During World War II, the press in the United States for the most part performed unbelievably well.

The voluntary censorship they imposed upon themselves was incredible.The mistakes that were made were few and far between.

Sadly, the voluntary censorship today is quite different. It is in the form of what their political view is.It is simple. You emphasize the shortcomings of your political adversary and diminish their achievements. On the other side, you embellish the achievements of those you support politically,and minimize or altogether do not mention their shortcomings.

I am quitesure numerous journalism professors are rolling over in their graves.

The media, for the most part, is a private enterprise with a constitutional guarantee.They should take this serious and act as journalists.

George Tashjian, Coventry

I seldom agree with Victor Davis Hanson's views expressed in his commentaries, but I somewhat agree with his column decrying the politicizing of certain institutions ("Destroying the institutions we inherited," Commentary, Oct. 18).

Having said that, he did not go far enough with his examples.He did not mention President Trump's castigation of his political enemies during his State of the Union addresses.He did not point out Trump's failure to have regular, informative press briefings, an American presidential institution.He did not bemoan the president's failure to release his taxes, another presidential tradition.

Mr. Hanson fails to take Trump to task for the president's unwillingness to commit to a peaceful transition of power, a most American of institutions.And the list goes on. Trump is a destroyer of institutions and traditions, Mr. Hanson.

Kirk A. Brague, Smithfield

The shocking news of Donald Trumps tax returns for the years 2016 and 2017 should be a wake-up call to the voters in this country! While most of us pay our fair share, he avoids doing so by manipulating facts and numbers. It is an undeniable fact that he is cheating us all. If his accountants and lawyers are aiding him in this fairy tale, they deserve the same punishment meted to other scoundrels. Jail time isnt enough.

What kind of penalty would serve to make him change his ways? I have a few suggestions, none ofthem pleasant!

Jane S. Nelson, Providence

Follow this link:
Opinion/Letters: Voluntary censorship; Hanson and institutions; Trump's taxes - The Providence Journal