Deion Sanders is facing criticism after his decision to bar a Denver Post reporter from asking questions at upcoming press conferences. While many fans have expressed their support, others have voiced their concerns, viewing this action as a violation of free speech.
Comments on social media have included statements like, “Freedom of the press dies in the blue states,” “A $29 million contract with a taxpayer-funded state school, and he won’t take questions… sad,” “I could’ve sworn Americans had the right to a free press,” and “This is just silencing dissent… critical commentary… it’s becoming more common, and this is what happens in commie countries.”
Is this a threat to freedom speech?
Democracies around the globe share many similarities, but there are also differences, such as laws or operational methods influenced by culture, religion, or social constructs.
However, one thing every country must have to be considered a democracy is freedom of speech and, consequently, freedom of the press.
Any attempt to censor journalists or specific media platforms goes against the most fundamental principle of press freedom, which is crucial for a fully developed democratic state.
There are many reasons why this can lead to bigger problems over time.
Not only is this a threat to other journalists, but it also runs much deeper.
It represents a hazard to journalistic inquiry, limits transparency, suppresses critical voices, undermines democratic accountability, and sets a dangerous precedent for future situations.
What have The Denver Post said about this?
Basically, they have not issued an official statement on the matter, but Denver Post sports editor Matt Schubert addressed the issue in his article about the incident.
In this piece, Schubert mentioned that he and editor Lee Ann Colacioppo contacted CU sports information that same afternoon and met with two staff members over a video conference call on August 14 to discuss the action.
Schubert and Colacioppo made it clear that no media policies were violated by Keeler that day and also noted that the duration of Keeler’s restriction from asking questions was not specified, though a spokesman later clarified that the action was indefinite.
In a statement from CU, it was written: “After a series of sustained, personal attacks on the football program and specifically Coach Prime, the CU Athletic Department, in conjunction with the football program, has decided not to take questions from Denver Post columnist Sean Keeler at football-related events.” However, they provided no evidence of any media policy violations.
When asked for specific examples of how Keeler personally attacked Sanders and the program, a sports information staffer cited his use of phrases such as “false prophet,” “Deposition Deion,” “Planet Prime,” “Bruce Lee of B.S.,” “the Deion Kool-Aid,” and “circus.”
When The Denver Post asked if Sanders had specifically requested Keeler be barred from asking questions, the staffers declined to answer.
In the end, CU sports information staff members stated that the university will continue to credential Keeler and other reporters from The Post for games, practices, and other football events.
However, Keeler will be restricted from asking questions at football-related events, though he will still be allowed to ask questions of other CU athletics programs and administrators.
We are going backwards instead of forwards.
