Should FOX News be Censored?

It is often a difficult dance for followers of Christ to live with the tension of our dual citizenship. While our primary allegiance is to the present and future Kingdom of God, we also understand (like the Apostle Paul did) that we have an earthly citizenship by which we can influence the direction of affairs on planet earth by our actions, words and convictions.

As Christians whose earthly citizenship happens to be American, we realize that all human governments are deeply flawed - including our own. That is not to say, however, that some systems are not superior to others. That being the case, most of us are aware of the privileges and freedoms we enjoy by comparison with much of the rest of the world. One of those cherished privileges has long been freedom of the press.

Recently, President Obama's administration has attacked FOX News on a number of fronts attempting to de-legitemize them as a news organization. While I don't personally see eye to eye with everything on the opinion shows that air on FOX during prime-time, I have found that their journalism and news shows are as impressive as any network. Anchors and hosts like Shepherd Smith, Brit Hume, Brett Baier, Chris Wallace, Megan Fox, Julie Banderas and their field reporters do a tremendous job reporting - certainly no less impressive than that of CNN or MSNBC.

I question why ANY administration would seem to have such thin skin as to attempt to demonize a news organization for asking hard questions. There were numerous issues over which I disagreed with President Bush, but one thing was certain - I never saw him or his staff attack a news organization who came against him (which most did with regularity - including FOX). When Dan Rather came out with his embarrassing report of what turned out to be phony documents attempting to de-legitemize Bush's military service, I never heard a word of retaliation from the Bush White House.

Reagan frequently bantered with the media, but won many hearts over with his ability to act warmly and humorously with those who opposed him. Even as I study the Nixon presidency (who was in office when I was born), I cannot find evidence that he or his administration demonized the press for their scathing reports.

Former Arkansas Governer Mike Huckabee recently stated his opinion that Obama's apparent inability to handle criticism is evidence of his lack of executive experience. He included that as a legislator, Obama was a deliberator. But as an executive, he is now required to be a decision-maker. And decision-makers must be able to handle criticism.

As a Christian, I do not believe it is fruitful to demonize an individual - including the President, who I am scripturally called to pray for. But I do believe in respectfully debating ideas and philosophies. I don't like to be personally attacked any more than anyone else. But as a leader on a much smaller scale than a President, I DO need to be able to articulate my convictions to those who disagree with me without demonizing them for their differences.

What do YOU think? Does President Obama have thin skin? Does the fact that FOX has a handful of conservative opinion shows (just like CNN and MSNBC go in the other direction) mean that they are not a legitimate news organization? Isn't it a GOOD thing that there are critics on BOTH sides? And isn't that the job of the free press - to make sure that the likelihood of unchecked political power is as minimal as possible? Is Obama criticized MORE than any previous president? Feel free to chime in with your comments and opinions! Let's have a good discussion...