Letter to the Editor

Democracy and free speech

Thursday, Aug. 16, a coordinated editorial effort from 350 newspapers around the country defended the freedom of the press. More specifically the editorials protested the label by some government officials that the press is the "enemy of the people".

The Southeast Missourian was not one of the 350 newspapers. May I ask why?

Our democracy is dependent on the role of a free press to speak the truth to and about the government. To label the press the enemy of the people is as un-American as it is dangerous.

Surely the Southeast Missourian could have taken a few lines of newspaper space to show solidarity in defending the First Amendment and protecting a free and independent press.

GAYLE HENDRIX, Cape Girardeau