A powerful free press is the only real voice for people who cherish honesty, accountability, decency and values that mould a society that is strong enough to survive the elements of greed, corruption, and political deception found in practically every country.

Even our Bermuda is not immune from some of this negativity that surfaces wherever politics has a key part in forming policy for the running of a democratic society.

In this setting, the role of the journalist is made extra challenging, especially in a small country like Bermuda, where social and family connections are so close, many issues are often avoided during gatherings, to keep friendships alive.

The role of the free press is to bypass emotions and to dig deep at times in search of truth, no matter where that search takes them, especially on matters concerning the people. Sometimes what they find can actually help a Government get a better handle on a situation that has gone wrong.

With many departments operating, it is not unusual for a fault to go undetected, and sometimes simply covered over. The current Government is not without good people on board. At the same time, one cannot lose sight of major concerns expressed throughout the community almost daily on Government's overall performance regarding a number of controversial issues. It leaves a shadow of doubt, perhaps unfairly, on some of those in Government who might wish to do things differently.

The Opposition party, at least for the moment, appears fragmented and lacks the political fire power needed to be the other voice. They too have good people on board, but apart from the occasional clash in Parliament, the two political groups might just as well be ships passing in the night.

The point here is that without a powerful free press keeping a sharp eye on things, politicians on either side would have a free ride when it comes to serious issues that need exposure for the good of the country and the people.

This was driven home recently in the United States, when the CNN news organisation relentlessly traced a large stock of emergency supplies that should have gone to flood victims from Hurricane Katrina, only to discover the items in a warehouse locked away for two years. Although the goods were quickly rushed to New Orleans where people are still in need, it showed unbelievable organisational flaws in FEMA, the US Government agency responsible for responding to such emergencies.

There were undoubtedly many red faces, but had it not been for CNN, those goods may very well still be in that warehouse. CNN was even commended by a Government official for bringing this to light. Just another victory for the press and the people who benefited.

This is why attempts by a Government to weaken the free press can only be seen as trying to kill the watchdog. Everyone knows if the watchdog is dead the contents in the house are easy pickings. The problem is when a Government is even perceived to be moving in that direction it is viewed with suspicion.

The President of the United States has to wade through tidal waves of criticism on a daily basis for either doing too much for one sector or doing too little for another. Criticism is a fact of life for politicians in a democratic society. Even if Senator Obama makes it to the White House, the day after taking the oath, he too will be subjected to scrutiny by the world press. He is fully aware of this.

There is a dreadful price to pay when the free press is prevented from doing its job. A quick glance at Zimbabwe where any attempt to report freely could result in a death sentence, shows clearly how bad it gets when a Government turns its back on democratic principles in order to cling to power.

The situation has deteriorated to a point where other African countries are at last voicing their disapproval of President Mugabe's leadership which has plunged that country into economic disaster, and resulted in the deaths of many, who decided not to support him. Journalists are risking their lives daily, to the keep the world informed on this horror story, and many other situations around the globe, because it is the right thing to do.

Perhaps if Zimbabwe had weapons of mass destruction, it might be a different story. At the moment it appears more innocent blood will flow before decent democratic values are in place there. Even the United Nations seems powerless to intervene.

The bottom line is that a free press helps to keep any Government on its toes, and no one serving in the public eye should be allowed to operate without being subjected to press scrutiny. Whether it is a PLP Government, or a UBP Government, the roll of the press remains the same: to relay truths to the public, pretty and at times not so pretty.