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Many journalists today are just plain un-American. Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, some television news anchors wore U.S. flag pins on their lapels while failing to address increasing government secrecy and the whittling of our civil liberties.

Un-American.

This month 10 Florida journalists were fired because they accepted government pay to promote U.S. interests abroad, and last year a half-dozen journalists were exposed for producing covert propaganda targeted at Iraqis and Americans.

Un-American and traitorous.

In early 2003, the White House press corps unquestioningly reported administration justifications for the Iraq war.

Un-American. Add Pinko to that. Like Pravda reporters, they parroted the party line to further those in power, not their readers.

Those journalists did not serve you or me. They failed to uphold their duty to report objectively and serve as a check on government. It was their responsibility to serve as watchdogs, not lapdogs — a sacred American trust dating back more than 300 years.

This is a story of those traitors and patriots — of journalists who betray you and journalists who serve you.

Journalism patriot

We'll start with Benjamin Harris, editor of the first multi-page newspaper in the colonies, published 316 years ago on Sept. 25, 1690.

In "Publick Occurrences: both Forreign and Domestick," Harris stated the purpose of the newspaper was that ". . . people everywhere may better understand the Circumstances of Publique Affairs, both abroad and at home. . . . That something may be done towards the Curing, or at least the Charming of that Spirit of Lying, which prevails amongst us."

That first newspaper provided basic news about a suicide, a house fire that killed a man and a nasty fever going around town. The paper also described progress on the battlefront between the English colonists and French Canadians, including description of a bungled military expedition.

According to Harris' paper, colonial soldiers marched north to attack the French, but when they reached the lake to paddle across, someone forgot to bring the canoes, so they had to turn back. The paper called it a "vexing disappointment."

Irked government officials said the paper contained "sundry doubtful and uncertain Reports" and they shut it down. Publick Occurrences never made it to issue No. 2.

The Brits probably considered Harris a terrorist, or at least guilty of providing comfort to the enemy. As it turned out, 97 years after Harris' newspaper hit the racks, the "terrorists" won and created the U.S. Constitution.

Our Founding Fathers decided the press should serve as a check on government — watchdogs — to make sure the people can discuss problems rationally instead of relying on violent revolution for change. Democracy is messy and sometimes we would rather not discuss uncomfortable subjects in public, but that's the system we have and most of the time it works.

Now, 316 years later, is today's press living up to its responsibility? Are journalists following Harris' lead? Yes and no.

Lap dogs

Two years ago The New York Times apologized for failing to fully investigate government assertions — now found to be overstated or wrong — that laid the groundwork for the Iraq war. The editors blamed it on the rush to get scoops in the paper.

Veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas says in her recent book "Watchdogs of Democracy?" that presidents always have been secretive and manipulative, but the current administration has been more aggressive in disinformation and the press more lax. Had the White House press corps questioned the government's facts in 2003, Thomas writes, it is quite possible we would not be losing money and lives in Iraq now.

It is easy to blame individuals, but the way I see it — as a former journalist and current journalism professor — the problem is systemic, caused by a variety of factors:

● Fear. During times of war and strife, fear compels people to stick together, rally around the flag and avoid dissent. Those who are more fearful are more accepting of government secrecy and reduced civil liberties. All of us want to be safe, even journalists, but reporters need to buck up and do their jobs, even if they are branded as unpatriotic at times.

● Greed. In the quest to seek larger profit margins, media companies continue to cut positions. Last month the Akron Beacon Journal laid off 25 percent of its news staff and the Dallas Morning News slashed 85 newsroom employees. About 2,500 journalism jobs were eliminated nationwide in 2005 alone, and this year the industry is on pace to top that. Spread thin, reporters have less time to verify facts, dig into government assertions and do the job right.

● Infotainment. As daily newspaper circulations and television ratings continue to decline, media managers are pressured to focus more resources on covering water-skiing squirrels, car crashes and reality television, and fewer resources on public affairs and international news.

These are big forces at play, not easily fixed. Despite the challenges, however, some journalists are trying to fulfill their societal responsibilities.

Watchdogs

Some journalists feel so committed to the press's responsibility that they put their lives on the line. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 47 journalists were killed worldwide last year, and 80 have died so far while covering the Iraq war.

Good journalists are honing their skills through new national training programs in computer data analysis, accessing government records and covering politics, making them more effective in finding important stories. College journalism programs, including the one at the University of Arizona, are offering new and rigorous courses to prepare students for the complexities they'll face on the job.

Nationally, press groups, such as the Society of Professional Journalists, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and the three-year-old Coalition of Journalists for Open Government, are aggressively fighting government secrecy.

According to the National Archives, last year the federal government spent $7.7 billion to classify 14.2 million documents as secret, up from $2.7 billion 10 years ago. While some secrets are necessary to protect personal privacy and national security, government officials sometimes use secrecy laws to hide corruption or gaffes.

Good journalists who shed light on bad government practices make the world a better place. The Washington Post exposed Jack Abramoff, and The San Diego Union-Tribune uncovered Congressman Randy Cunningham's corrupt practices. The Los Angeles Times wrote about deadly medical problems at a major public hospital, leading to safer treatment for patients. The New York Times documented death and injury among American workers.

Power of the people

Benjamin Harris and today's watchdogs are instrumental in sparking societal change, but it still is up to citizens to make it happen. You can help:

● Keep reading. The very fact you are reading this paper, this opinion piece, and that you made it down this far, means that you care about society. You are part of a distinct but important minority of Americans. Whether you respect or despise the press, you are informed, and informed media consumers are key to protecting democratic self-governance.

● Hold journalists accountable. Write letters to the editor. Call and e-mail them with your suggestions. Tell them what is important to you and the community. They listen.

● Hold government accountable. If you are interested in your community and government, then the media will respond by providing public affairs coverage and asking the tough questions.

Sadly, in recent years many journalists have failed our country and our forefathers by letting the government run unchecked. Perhaps the Iraq war, if anything, will remind us — and the media — to always question important government decisions, even if it is uncomfortable, for the good of civilians, soldiers and our form of government.

Dissent is patriotic. It is American.