There is no doubt that journalists and responsible members of the media make every effort to obtain and report the truth. And they are much needed as there are those media organisations who are part of the manipulation of those in power. It must be very difficult for investigative journalists to maintain their integrity in the face of the establishment.
In this post D.G. Kaye brings this into focus with a reminder to us all, that we too, as bloggers, poets, storytellers and when commenting on others work, have a responsibility to uphold the truth and not disperse the rhetoric without verification.
The Important Role for Writers to Help Preserve Democracy by D.G. Kaye
August 13, 2019
I came across this article at the Times, written by Jennifer Egan – Pulizter prize winning author on “Why we need writers more than ever, our democracy depends on it.”
If it weren’t for the press, who would keep us abreast in a world fuel injected with fake news and social media propaganda? It’s the press who keeps check on issues and people who are making the news for reasons both bad and good. It’s the reporters and journalists who speak out on what’s wrong, calling out leaders who aren’t doing their jobs, calling out propaganda in the mainstream social media used to sway and spin and stir up shit. Propaganda was Hitler’s initial method for instigating his extermination plan. Now we have social media to assist as a huge method to capture headlines – both fake and real.
Egan states in her article, “A mediasphere designed for spectacle can’t be expected to fix the oversimplification it creates. We need writers for that, and we need them badly. Literature, like democracy, is built of a plurality of ideas.” She continues to speak on how every form of literacy creates a perception for the reader, which helps to instill empathy and explains how writers throughout the ages have had the ability to help overthrow repressive regimes.
“Literature is an antidote to the blunt distortions—good vs. evil, us vs. them—that are so easily exploited by those who would manipulate us.”
How many times have we seen on the news journalists around the globe risking their lives to report on some of the atrocities going on around the world and getting jailed or even killed for reporting a truth? And the reason for these crimes against journalists is merely because those authoritarian governments or people holding power feel threatened when publicly exposed. Writers, reporters, journalists write to keep the wrongs in the forefront for the public to watch and listen to, giving the public the chance to judge for themselves so as not to be lured and eluded by untruths.
Writers need to be writing to exploit injustices and to preserve democracy. When free speech is compromised, so is democracy. When did a party difference of right or left begin to replace right and wrong? Why does a simple tweet of calling something a hoax make it so just because a leader thinks he can cancel out facts by standing on the highest soapbox and shouting out the loudest. This does not make it so. And this does not negate all the fact finding the journalists and their inside sources who put their lives on the line for every day do to educate the public.
Please head over to read the complete post: https://dgkayewriter.com/the-important-role-for-writers-to-help-preserve-democracy
About D.G. Kaye
Debby Gies is a Canadian nonfiction/memoir author who writes under the pen name of D.G. Kaye. She was born, raised, and resides in Toronto, Canada. Kaye writes about her life experiences, matters of the heart and women’s issues.
D.G. writes to inspire others. Her writing encompasses stories taken from events she encountered in her own life, and she shares the lessons taken from them. Her sunny outlook on life developed from learning to overcome challenges in her life, and finding the upside from those situations, while practicing gratitude for all the positives.
When Kaye isn’t writing intimate memoirs, she brings her natural sense of humor into her other works. She loves to laugh and self- medicate with a daily dose of humor.
I love to tell stories that have lessons in them, and hope to empower others by sharing my own experiences. I write raw and honest about my own experiences, hoping through my writing, that others can relate and find that there is always a choice to move from a negative space, and look for the positive.
Quotes:
“Live Laugh Love . . . And Don’t Forget to Breathe!”
“For every kindness, there should be kindness in return. Wouldn’t that just make the world right?”
When I’m not writing, I’m reading or quite possibly looking after some mundane thing in life. It’s also possible I may be on a secret getaway trip, as that is my passion—traveling.
Books by D.G. Kaye
Read all the reviews and buy the books: http://www.amazon.com/author/dgkaye7
and Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/D.G.-Kaye/e/B00HE028FO
More reviews and follow Debby on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/dgkaye
Connect to Debby Gies
Blog: http://www.dgkayewriter.com
About me: http://www.wiseintro.co/dgkaye7
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@pokercubster (yes there’s a story)
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dgkaye7
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dgkaye
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dgkaye
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/dgkaye7
Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will head over to read the entire post: Sally
Definitely a good read.
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Thanks Jacqui.. even one voice can be heard. xx
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All writers need to keep their eyes and ears on alert and use their common sense more than ever before. We need to ask questions and think – really think…of the injustices being heaped by those in power on the hoi poloi. When Democracy is threatened. serious questions should be asked and answers weighed. Gagging the Press is asking for trouble. Thanks Debby.
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Thanks for adding your perspective Joy… hugs xxx
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Thanks, too, Sally. Hugs xx
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Thank you Joy for adding to the importance of this conversation ❤
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Many thanks Sal for sharing my article here on democracy. More important in these dark times more than ever. ❤ xoxo
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Absolutely Debby, very important.♥
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❤ ❤
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writers rock!
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The do Jim…
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A very important post, Debby!
I’ve been thinking for a while that authors should speak out. We have a talent for being able to phrase difficult ideas and concepts into words that can be read and understood. This world needs us… right now!
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Thanks for adding your view Wendy and totally agree..
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I was so inspired, Sally and Debby, that I just published my first blog post in eons…
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Fabulous Wendy.. you blog link is not coming up so please share you post link with us..hugs
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Here it is, Sally! Thank you!
https://wendyannedarling.com/2019/08/18/now-is-the-time/
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Absolutely necessary Wendy. And happy to see you pop by Sally’s. ❤
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Wonderful Wendy. Did you get a new blog? Love your avatar. ❤
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Thanks Debby! You’re post made me think hard! Ouch… Not sure why it’s gone back to an old avatar.
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Great article, D.G.! These are scary times, and it’s unsettling how quick people are to believe untruths. Fingers crossed the democracies in our world will begin to get back on the right track. When exclusion, hate and fear replace difference of opinion though willingness to compromise, the world will crumble. I have immense respect for the legitimate press (and writers and bloggers) continuing to seek and share the truth even when being labeled as the enemy and pummeled at every turn.
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Thank you Marsi and Debby really brought that home.. I too have great respect for the investigative journalists but others who wear the badge paparazzi I have little time for. hugsx
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Thanks Marsi. I’m with you on every single count. We must keep calling out injustice to keep it at the forefront and writing with incorporating positive messages to enlighten others. Staying silent solves nothing. 🙂 xx
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These words from Debby rang true, “When free speech is compromised, so is democracy.” Thank you for writing such an honest and thought-provoking post, Debby, and thank you, Sally, for sharing it!
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Debby wrote a brilliant piece and delighted to share.. thanks Jan ♥
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