Drudging Up Treason?
By Chuck Hyde, Editor of StandBesideHer.com
Very little was said this week about a fairly significant event on line. Prince
Harry of Britain chose to serve in Afghanistan. There had been a gentleman’s agreement
between the British Ministry of Defence, the British Royal family, and the British press
that the press would keep the Prince’s presence in Afghanistan a secret while he was
there. In return, the MoD and Palace would provide photos and information to the press
when he returns to Britain.
The agreement held up for several months until this week when The Drudge Report,
a tabloid-style website run by Matt Drudge, ran the story. This led to the quick
withdrawal of Prince Harry from the war theater.
Now I am not rushing to the defense of the British family. For one,
this is an American website and I have generally tried to focus on issues
that effect America. Also, through the years I have had a very mixed view
of the British Royal Family. One moment they will exhibit all of the majesty
and honor that exemplifies a proud British history. The next moment they act
like white trash with money. With this said though, it was refreshing to see
Prince Harry grow from being a party boy to become a man and stand with his
fellow troops in Afghanistan.
Further, I would like to make clear that I have always been a fan of The
Drudge Report and read it daily. I want to make this clear so that this
article is not easily dismissed as an attack from the loony left. While I will
likely continue reading The Drudge Report, I must admit I am very
disappointed with it right now.
The reality though is that this issue is not about the British Royal
Family or Prince Harry. This is about freedom of the press and
freedom of speech and the responsibility that they entail. Also, to
some extent, this is about America and the American troops Mr.
Drudge could have endangered with his irresponsible and self-serving
reporting of this story.
The Drudge Report, already one of the most influential sites in the
world, certainly didn’t need this story for it’s survival or to further it’s
marketability. It is my opinion that Mr. Drudge did this simply because
he could. This was simply to feed his ego, forget the fact that it may
have endangered British (along with American and other countries’) troops.
Furthermore, Mr. Drudge is the first to run a story on any story by The
New York Times or another media outlet that can be perceived as
detrimental to the troops. One has to wonder if we will see a banner
headline on The Drudge Report along the lines of “Drudge Report Runs
Article Endangering British Troops Lives”.
The reality is that Mr. Drudge did endanger the lives of the troops.
Announcing that Prince Harry was in country is going to intensify
the efforts of the opposition. One could only imagine the propaganda
coupe achieved with the death or capture of Prince Harry by the
Taliban troops or al-qaeda. This increased activity by these groups
has only one result, the deaths of more troops from Britain,
America, and our other allies.
I do want to be clear, I am not advocating censorship. I myself enjoy
the freedom afforded by the constitutionally protected freedom of
the press and the freedom of speech. It is one of the things that
makes America the greatest country in the world. Also, with not
a little irony, it is one of the things the very troops Mr. Drudge
endangered put their lives on the line for.
With freedom of the press though, comes responsibility.
As I said earlier, Mr. Drudge is quick to report on any transgression
by The New York Times or NBC or CNN. It’s just too bad Mr.
Drudge does not hold his own site to the same standards.
That’ what’s on my mind.
About The Author: Chuck Hyde is editor of StandBesideHer.com. He is
also a husband and father of two teenage boys and a younger daughter.
His family lives in the northern Midwestern rural United States, where they
enjoy camping, fishing, and other outdoor activities together. Chuck is a
Registered Nurse in an inner city emergency room and has had a lifelong addiction to politics.
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