I admire when reporters and newspapers stand up to political pressure or have no fear when it comes to printing controversy. My last such hero was John Daniel Garcia of the Big Bend Sentinel in south Texas and this week I salute the Rio Grande Sun newspaper in Espanola, New Mexico.
The Rio Grande Sun has a reputation of exposing
political corruption and finding scandals
in school districts and public offices. Doing such reporting is difficult for two
reasons: One, because when researching controversy the parties involved not only
do not return your phone calls but also try to turn sources against you. And
two, reporting is made more difficult because the powers-that-be often try to
use their supposed clout to pressure you into shutting the hell up.
When you continually do not shut the hell up, as the
Sun has, you may get retribution. The lobby of the Rio Grande Sun office has
pretty rocks on display – all of which have been thrown through their windows. The
building has also been shot at and windows shot out during the night.
Earlier this week someone broke in and caught their office on fire.
Damage was limited and by the afternoon the team
was pretty much back to operating as usual, printing a statement defying the
arsonist and promising that such acts only make those that love the freedom of
the press try even harder to exercise it.
So here’s to my new heroes, the people of the Rio
Grande Sun. Tonight I salute you with a honey lager.
Tell me when you learn of a heroic reporter or newspaper, amosnews@yahoo.com
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