Some journalists continue to hold the powerful accountable

The media exists to hold those in powerful positions accountable. It’s tougher to do in this age, but some are still doing so.

In 1984, at the height of Ronald Reagan’s militarism, the editor of a Texas suburban newspaper — where I had worked as a reporter for two years right out of college — told me the paper could not print a feature article I wrote on a local woman who began a nuclear weapons freeze organization because it would “upset” advertisers. After all, many of those advertisers worked for the U.S. military/industrial complex.

This is a situation that sadly is more common in today’s media environment than it was in 1984. I had a choice back then: I could meekly resign myself to this ethical roadblock and go back to work, or I could quit my job in protest and find another way to get the story to the public. I was 24, probably even more liberal and idealistic than I am now, and the proverbial “angry young man” who wasn’t going to compromise my idealism and integrity or let anyone stop me from my mission to expose our society’s evil bastards. I was single and didn’t have to worry about feeding a family, as I do now. So, of course, I chose the latter option. I took the story to a competition paper — which published it — and submitted my letter of resignation to my boss. I didn’t regret it then, and I don’t regret it now. In fact, I’m prouder of my stand now.

I didn’t just quit my job in protest — I joined an intensive, Survivor-like protest march against…