Editor,

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” The first metaphorical use of this passage in an American context was by Puritan leader John Winthrop in 1630, referring to the unique character of the evolving colonies in the New Word. His message was if the congregation remained true to their core values and convictions, they would become the house on the hill lighting the path to liberty, freedom, and fidelity to Christian ideals.

Over the years presidents Reagan, Bush and Obama have taken metaphorical liberties with this passage and made statements about America being the shining house on the hill or the beacon of freedom and democracy. If there exists a physical manifestation of this ideal it is the Voice of America (VOA).

Established in 1942 to combat Nazi propaganda, the VOA began an illustrious career of becoming the house on the hill and beacon of freedom of hope for war-ravished countries and those living under the boot of dictatorial authoritarianism. The success of VOA inspired congress to create the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) with the noble mission to, “Inform, engage and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy.” This organization daily delivered the dream of liberty, prosperity and religious freedom to over a quarter of a billion people in the world longing to escape oppression and exploitation.

Trump has called the VOA, “A total, leftwing disaster,” claiming, “If you heard what’s coming out of the VOA it is disgusting.” In short order he razed the house on the hill and extinguished the beacon of democracy. By virtue of the power of the purse, Congressional complicity facilitated this betrayal of America’s global stature.

All autocrats aspire to control the media. Nazi Germany introduced Schriftleitergesetz, ensuring only journalists sympathetic to Hitler were allowed to report. The Whitehouse Correspondents Association (WHCA) was founded on Feb. 25, 1914, by journalists in response to a rumor that a congressional committee would select which journalists could attend press conferences of President Woodrow Wilson.

For over a century, the WHCA has ensured all journalists have equal access to the Whitehouse Press Briefing Room. No more. They are all vetted for Trump allegiance, as evidenced by current milk toast press briefings where journalists jockey for an opportunity to lick Trump’s boots.

Jack Gribble

Oak Harbor