Is PennLive discouraging the free speech of Tucker Carlson in Hershey for politically motivated purposes?

Freedom of speech is the bedrock of democracy. If the truth is suppressed, it is impossible to make an informed voting decision.

The degree to which freedom of speech is being undermined around the world is extremely alarming.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 10, 2024

Is PennLive discouraging freedom of speech for politically motivated reasons?

Tucker Carlson is scheduled to give a speech in Hershey in September, and leftwing activists have been attempting to cancel the event for months. PennLive has taken a hard stance to oppose Carlson by specifically targeting Hershey Entertainment and The Hershey Trust in its recent publications.

Rather than to debate opposing perspectives, the leftwing faction of our local newspaper has resorted to attempts to shut down the voice of opposition because its editors disagree with the political views of Tucker Carlson.

In fact, our capital city newspaper has shamelessly become accustomed to this practice. With little regard for actual public opinion, PennLive often beats the drum of leftwing activism in their editorials, clearly in coordination with political operatives.

Today PennLive again printed an opinion to pressure the host of the event in Hershey.

The Hershey Trust should not invite Tucker Carlson into our community | PennLive letters https://t.co/OEN3N7FwAl

— PennLive.com (@PennLive) August 8, 2024

One letter of support for Tucker Carlson was originally printed by LNP | Lancaster Online in response to the initial PennLive attack.

The Sun of Hummelstown has printed letters to reject the free speech of Tucker Carlson in Hershey, however a collection of follow up letters were also printed in support of Carlson.

This letter was printed by The Sun in July:

Reading the recent Letters to The Editor calling for HERCO to cancel Tucker Carlson, we see attempts to change Sun Country and the USA from a country that debates opposing viewpoints to one that silences the opposition.

In Our Humble Opinions:

A great education teaches you how to think; not what to think. And it never ends.

Science is not about agreement it is based on challenging current accepted thought and growing to a new level of understanding.

Our second amendment speaks to the right of free speech for All American citizens. Our “News” media has become full of 24/7 opinion influencers masquerading as factual news. Supporting diversity includes encouraging the free and open exchange of ideas and viewpoints.

We’re not afraid of free speech. What scares us is censorship, the half-truth deceptions that are sold / repeated as fact and the use of intimidation to scare people into silence or compliance.

Concern about the bullying, intolerance, shaming and violence exhibited by some of our young people begins with looking into the adults in our public arena who model the same behavior.

On the heels of Independence Day, we would like to urge each of you to find the whole story, ask questions and then reclaim your American right to think for yourself.

Laura and Randy Goss

Hershey