Journalism must offer a public forum for criticm and comment.
Why? So that people like Cody Shearer can be made to look bad? So that Rush Limbaugh and Chris Matthews can get their money and their ratings?
Sure, you can write to someone in the newspaper, or call in on a television program, but will they really listen to you? I highly doubt it. That isn't the way journalism works anymore.
This brings up a topic from the past--journalism isn't independent from any faction anymore. Look at Fox News and The Washington Post--even when when America knows that President Bush's Administration (I'm done blaming the President--he has shown me he can be smarter than he lets on by firing Michael Brown), Fox News or the Washington Post, will call it "a resounding victory for President". Even the Trib-Review is known for being politically bias! So much for independence from faction...so much for being a public forum..