State-funded private media looks a lot like fascism. If the state funds preferred media while restricting access to critics, it stops looking like support for journalism and starts looking like state control of the news and political narratives.
I’m somewhat of a free speech absolutist, even when it’s uncomfortable. We don’t have the 1st amendment to chat about the weather forecast. And I have some thoughts on the very concerning denial of press passes to journalists Democrats don’t like in the WA State House.
The moment the House issues press passes, it creates what’s called a limited public forum. In that forum, the government may set neutral rules (space, safety, credentials), but it may not favor or punish viewpoints which include political advocacy. Credentials cannot include viewpoints or advocacy. The House punished the viewpoints of Ari Hoffman, Jonathan Choe, and Brandi Kruse (in writing) by denying press passes exclusively on those grounds.
Political advocacy is protected speech, especially when legacy media openly advocates policy outcomes and even testifies for their own financial benefit.
Selective enforcement is fatal, although viewpoint enforcement at all is unconstitutional. If advocacy disqualifies independent journalists but not institutional ones, the rule collapses into obvious viewpoint discrimination.
Belief based screening is outright unconstitutional. Government actors don’t get to decide who counts as real press based on ideology, tone, or political alignment. If Anderson Cooper of CNN asked for a press pass, he’d get one in a heartbeat, even though he delivers his opinion and advocates for issues all the time.
So, we have politicians trying to hook dying legacy media with the lure of state money (and control) under the guise of ‘save the news’, while simultaneously denying access to legitimate media that criticizes them. The hypocrisy is not new, but certainly this should shock you awake.
It’s not that if you send legacy media a few bucks and act like a tyrant for a while to deny a few press passes of people who asked you uncomfortable questions that we wake up tomorrow in 1930’s Europe. It’s a slippery slope and dangerous precedent, and it’s the slow creep of incrementalism that inevitably becomes the soft tyranny of tomorrow’s state-run media. If you don’t stop it here, you might not return from it.
To be clear, my position would be identical if left-wing independent journalists were being denied press access, and right-wing media was asking for state funds. If our society has become so soft and triggered that the people in power cannot handle tough questions (you know, what the news is supposed to do) then those people in power do not deserve to lead free people. If the legacy news cannot survive without state funds, it should shift its business models or practices that lead people to turn away from them.
It is consumers and advertisers who decide what they will pay for, watch, or listen to… not the government. I hate to say this so bluntly because there are some good people in legacy news… but if it isn’t selling, it’s because you suck. If a few indies with cellphones and social media can crush you daily, that’s on you. To the good people in legacy media, just leave and take the leap to something better and free. Use your talents for good, not corporate control or government funded yellow journalism and manipulation.
Representative Travis Couture (R-Allyn)
Rep. Travis Couture, a U.S. Navy veteran and Washington State Representative for the 35th Legislative District, brings a wealth of experience in service and leadership.
As a submariner aboard USS Alabama and USS Nebraska, he completed multiple strategic deterrence patrols, earning numerous honors before his honorable discharge in 2011. Post-military, Couture managed billions in assets as a Program Manager for a Fortune 500 company, supporting Naval Base Kitsap, and later led over 100 employees as Director of Operations for a Kitsap County non-profit serving people with disabilities.
He holds a master’s in business administration and a bachelor’s in organizational leadership from Brandman University. A decade-long community leader, Couture is driven by his role as a father of four to address challenges like rising costs and quality education.
He resides in Allyn with his wife, Julie, and their children.
COMMENTARY DISCLAIMER: The views and comments expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Lynnwood Times nor any of its affiliate.
Author: Lynnwood Times Contributor
