The Plain Truth on Criminal Libel Laws

I disagree with the Aug. 1 editorial that supports repealing the Kansas (and all) criminal libel laws. While I support a strong free press, I am troubled by recent changes. Previously sacrosanct firewalls between the news division, management and advertising have been breached, and news gathering departments have been reduced, requiring reporters to rely on more limited sources for the facts.

Many of the federal media regulations have been repealed, allowing single entities to control multiple media outlets in a single market. These mega-media conglomerates wield tremendous power, and they have influenced legislation and even the electoral process. While such influence is a disturbing gray area, a single libelous claim can totally corrupt the political process. This must not be allowed. And the only effective way to prevent such abuse, as recent financial scandals have taught us, is to have criminal statutes.

Ed Silverstein

Santa Monica