By MARK HOUNSELL

It falls on the fourth estate to join together to work harder as a group to stem this growing disconcerting practice of selective dissemination of vital information from the people’s elected officials.

Accountability to the citizens of the land can only be provided by the press corps working in solidarity insisting that all established, competent and proven media outlets are “invited” to scheduled press conferences.  

House Speaker Sherm Packard only invited reporters to his sham of a press conference regarding his office’s involvement in the Merner ruse because he is counting on certain reporters to “go along to get along.”

Sadly, over recent years the competitive nature of reporting has reduced investigative reporting to a shell of its former self.

Every true and faithful reporter should consider not being invited by Packard as a badge of honor.

What this state needs is the spirit of Ida Tarbell to lead the fourth estate to the all revealing proven methods of the “muckrakers” of the early 20th century.  I find a remnant of this unique corruption busting power primarily in the reporting of Nancy West, Garry Rayno of the nonprofit news outlet InDepthNH.org and longtime reporter Paula Tracy. They remain faithful to their stated noble mission of preserving public interest journalism. Their noble (and apparently lonely) fidelity to revealing total, accurate, and often inconvenient news reporting is a blessing to all who seek government transparency and refuse to consider translucency as being acceptable. 

Unfortunately, it does not appear that there are many courageous scribes covering the statehouse these days. Perhaps they might rediscover the total purpose of their jobs again and press the quest for answers regarding the Merner affair. In the meantime, thank you InDepthNH.org.

–Former NH State Senator Mark Hounsell served in the Upper Chamber of the General Court for two terms (1985-1988). He currently resides in Conway.