By Jamie Folsom
Managing Editor, Berthoud Recorder

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

It’s a profession mentioned specifically in the Bill of Rights. It is one of the only jobs based in the First Amendment. It is the Fourth Estate, which stands independent of the other états généraux of church, nobility and commoners.

Not to glorify it too much, but journalism remains one of the few professions that stands up for the public’s right to know, and makes itself accountable for the accuracy of its information. It is a contentious industry that finds itself at odds with the government on a regular basis, as it should at times, and sometimes with the public, again, as it should.

The current economic situation presents some tough challenges, it’s true, but many of those challenges just come with the territory. Yes, it is a writer’s job, but it also demands a fair amount of courage and a persistence to get things right. “Curious as cats, devoted as dogs,” as my father used to say.

As Labor Day approaches, I’d like to give my thanks and admiration to the best of the profession — to those who still uphold their duty to the First Amendment, without an oath, and who still fight to get a story, not because it’s easy, but because it matters:

• To the newspaper editor who is now back on the front lines reporting, this time with laptop and video recorder…
• To the food columnist who had the gumption to report a news story when she walked into a group of angry protestors in Denver, instead of saying it was somebody else’s job…
• To the photographer who was unceremoniously kicked by a pompous legislator for doing his job…
• To the journalists who are arrested, interrogated and imprisoned at the whim of unscrupulous governments…
• And to all my colleagues who stay in the job despite the lure of better pay and hours in other industries…

I am grateful for your courage and your absolute dedication to upholding basic human rights. And most of all, I wish you luck and the occasional
thank you for your efforts.