One of FOX Noise’ few legitimate journalists left the fake-news broadcast recently. Since that time, he displayed dignity and class by refusing to verbally assault his former network or its fake newspersons.

On Thursday Mr. Smith was asked to host the 2019 International Press Freedom Awards in New York City.

“Intimidation and vilification of the press is now a global phenomena,” said Smith, alluding to, but never mentioning President Donald Trump in his speech. “We don’t have to look far for evidence of that.”

Smith had been a frequent critic of your illegitimate president while at FOX, and was often attacked by the orange tweeter.

When giving out the award; ‘Committee to Protect Journalists’ to six journalists from around the world, Smith said the following.

“Our belief a decade ago that the online revolution would liberate us now seems a bit premature,” said Smith. “Autocrats have learned how to use those same online tools to shore up their power. They flood the world of information with garbage and lies masquerading as news. … There’s a phrase for that.”

He continued: “They dispatch troll armies after critical reporters, who are vilified and harassed. their personal information – such as phone numbers, address, ID numbers – posted and published as an invitation for even more attacks.”

Smith praised the journalists exposing wrongdoing under authoritarian governments.

“In other words, they did their jobs as reporters and editors in countries that portray themselves as democracies,” he said.

His words relate directly to Trump’s efforts to establish a fascist regime in America. His refusal to consult his advisers, military leaders, or investigate and consider the wishes of the American people make him a wannabe autocrat; a fuhrer.

A final and definitive statement which would have made the authors of the first amendment of the Constitution of the United States smile.

“Press freedom is not the preserve of one political group or one political party, it’s a value embedded in our very foundational documents,”  Smith said. “Journalists need to join hands to defend it.”

And we all need to defend the right of the fourth estate to expose corrupt politicians and corrupt administrations. Doing the right thing; the golden rule; must be at the core of everyone who values the truth and freedom.

Op-ed by James Turnage

“The Truth Lives Here”

SOURCE

Image courtesy of Payton Chung

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