BETTER WORK BY MEDIA WOULD PUSH OUT FEDS

Editor:

Regarding "Feds cross the line with fake news" (Jan 11), your
editorial comments were right on target, sensibly concluding, "The
feds should stay out of the news business and the media should be more
careful about their sources."

If the media does their part, the feds will automatically be reined in
themselves. The primary reason ineffectual policies remain status quo
is because of, in large part, what could be called lazy journalism.
Journalists from all forms of media must exhibit more enterprise and
reach out for more diverse opinions to be compared to those spouted by
this or that government spokesperson.

In few areas is this more important than on the topic of drugs and
drug policy. For the past 35-plus years, the U.S. government and many
state drug policies have been founded on the failed model of criminal
Prohibition laws. Now, in 2005, there are a wide range of smarter and
more effective policies being proposed and also implemented around the
country that remove drug policy matters from the control of police and
place it in the hands of health care and social workers.

Americans everywhere are rightly concerned with the effects of drugs
and drug use in our country and many turn to the government and/or the
media for informed and accurate information. Having confidence in the
media to present a wider range and more balanced report helps all of
us.

STEPHEN HEATH

Clearwater, Fla.