The term “censorship” has not been in wide use since World War II, when security of those at home and the troops fighting for freedoms of our people was at risk.

Current censorship is from two sources, not unrelated.

The first and more obvious is the government. This is demonstrated by unlawful actions by the Obama administration including withholding approval by the IRS of tax exemption for legitimate organizations, while millions are poured into Democrat campaign coffers by many of those specifically benefiting from Obama policies. Another FCC threat to place monitors in criticizing newscasters studios, and others.

Recently at a growing rate the censorship is being applied, not openly but with similar purpose by much of the news media willingly performing as propaganda tools of the administration. Accomplished by failure to publish or broadcast reports of negative actions and results by government and avoiding publication of opposing views and proposals by the “Loyal Opposition.”

In our immediate area described by some is “soft censorship,” manifest in steadily reduced space for local opinions, letters to the editor. Accomplished with crowding out with increased number and size of columnists and also sitting on letters up to three weeks, unwilling to publish, these media outlets fail to understand that these practices drive people to seek other sources for news. Without subscribers their failure becomes imminent.

Paul Hanway

Sequim