[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 164 (Tuesday, September 22, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H4713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                      DEMOCRACY DEMANDS JOURNALISM

  (Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Madam Speaker, it was Thomas Jefferson 
who said that, if he had to choose, he would prefer newspapers without 
government over government without newspapers.
  Now, that is quite a dramatic statement, but I think it highlights 
how critical journalism is to holding government accountable. Indeed, 
as my lapel pin notes tonight, ``Democracy demands journalism.''
  Now, journalism is not a comfortable duty. I suspect every good 
reporter has faced the wrath of a wronged politician and has had 
disgruntled viewers or readers or listeners cancel their patronage.
  It is tempting for us to be among the disgruntled, but if we want a 
free society, we have to support a free press, one whose loyalty is not 
to partisan endeavors or to stoking division and conflict but, rather, 
is to the truth.
  Yes, Madam Speaker, democracy does demand journalism.

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