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Ms. Stadnychenko, I was very disappointed to read your editorial in the July-August issue of Our Life. I did not expect to see a denunciation of free speech in this publication, especially in the same issue celebrating the life and work of Ivan Franko. Your example of the evils of the media was Duranty’s lies about the Great Famine. Those words were believed because the Soviets had a stranglehold on all forms of speech. And you believe the govern ments of United States and Ukraine should have the same complete control of newspapers, radio, and tele vision? The story you quote sounds like a Republican operative of the White House, casting the media and the ACLU in an absurd hypothetical situation castigating George Washington. There was dissent during the Revolution, and there were different opinions. Blood was shed over these ideals. And it was decided all opinions should be heard. Who would you choose to filter reality? I remember vividly a large painting on the walls of the Franko Museum. It shows Franko resting on the road to prison. The authorities tried to silence his voice many times. But he did not give up. The proof of that is the display case of his amazing output of writings. He is remembered today, not because he allowed someone else to shape his thoughts and actions, but because he looked for truth and shared his ideas with the world. I usually enjoy your publication, but I must voice my surprise and sadness at seeing these sentiments belittling free communication. We need better journalism, not less. Sincerely, Oli Landwijt Response from the Editor Dear Ms. Landwijt, We are always happy to hear from our readers and appreciate comments about materials published in Our Life, and I begin this response by thanking you for taking the time and effort to write and share your thoughts and opinions with us. To clarify for other readers the contents of your letter as well as the contents of my response, I would first like to explain that the material you found objectionable was not an editorial written by me but was part of UNWLA President Iryna Kurowyckyj’s monthly message, “From the Desk of the President.” Because you expressed specific concerns about the tone and thoughts published in this magazine, it also seems logical to share with readers that segment of the president’s message that prompted you to write: In many ways, Ukraine’s evolution into a democracy is more difficult than the evolution experi enced by the United States. Ironically, one of the things that makes this true is modern technology, a free press, and free speech. I would like to share with you a story that was told to a group of women by a reporter that described the blessings and hindrance of today’s media, which dissemi nates news as fast as it takes to switch on a light. He commented, “If during the War of Indepen dence George Washington had the media as it is today, we would not have won the war. Everyone would protest that Washington was leading the solders through snow storms and icy waters and their bodies were getting frost bitten. There would be protests and the Civil Liberties Union would sue the leaders that led the fight for freedom. ” Видання C оюзу Українок A мерики - перевидано в електронному форматі в 2012 році . A рхів C У A - Ню Йорк , Н . Й . C Ш A.
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