Democracy Suffocates When Stories Die

A free press isn’t just about what gets published; it’s also about what doesn’t. When news organizations kill or bury stories to appease powerful politicians, the public’s right to know quietly erodes. The damage isn’t always loud or obvious—but it’s real and dangerous.

Recent controversy surrounding CBS News and a reportedly shelved 60 Minutes story has reignited this concern. According to public reporting and commentary, the issue wasn’t a lack of journalistic merit but internal caution about political consequences. Whether the story would have angered officials, threatened access, or created corporate discomfort, the result was the same: information that may have mattered to voters never reached them. Even the perception that a major newsroom might pull punches for political reasons is enough to weaken public trust.

Silence is rarely neutral. It usually sides with whoever benefits from it.

This is not a new problem. During the 2016 election, the National Enquirer—through its parent company American Media Inc.—engaged in a documented practice known as “catch and kill.” The tabloid bought exclusive rights to potentially damaging stories about Donald Trump not to publish them but to lock them away. This wasn’t speculation; it was later acknowledged in legal proceedings. The goal was explicit political protection, and the effect was clear: voters were denied information that could have influenced their decisions.

While CBS News and the National Enquirer occupy very different places in the media ecosystem, the parallel is unsettling. In both cases, editorial power was used not to inform the public but to manage political outcomes—whether through corporate caution or partisan loyalty.

The press holds extraordinary influence in a democracy. With that influence comes responsibility. Killing stories to maintain access, avoid backlash, or protect favored politicians turns journalism from a watchdog into a gatekeeper for the powerful. When that happens, people don’t just lose stories—they lose the ability to make fully informed choices.

Democracy depends on sunlight. When newsrooms choose silence over truth, the darkness spreads.

(Tim Herrera is the author of “Public Speaking: Simple Steps to Improve Your Skills” and “Mastering Media: Strategies for Effective Communication in the Digital Age.”  You’ll find both Amazon.)