In 2001, when Walter “Robby” Robinson and The Boston Globe’s Spotlight team exposed the massive sexual abuse scandal within the Catholic Church, they were hailed as heroes. Their relentless pursuit of truth in the face of institutional power demonstrated journalism at its finest. The team exposed corruption, gave a voice to the voiceless, and forced accountability where there had been none. The impact of their work reverberated globally, prompting reforms and justice for countless victims. At its core, their investigation showed what journalism could and should be: a force to expose the truth and challenge the powerful.
Fast forward to today, and that noble pursuit seems to have evaporated from much of the mainstream press. Instead of unearthing the uncomfortable truths about entrenched powers, many journalists now focus on attacking individuals who dare to raise legitimate concerns. The press used to ask tough questions. Now, they actively work to suppress them. They once exposed corruption, but today the legacy media seems more interested in the cover-up.
Take, for example, an article written by Brenda Wintrode—a journalist who has taken it upon herself to paint anyone questioning the electoral process as a “fringe” extremist. Wintrode implied in a recent column for the Baltimore Banner that the concerns I raised about the state of Maryland’s elections are somehow baseless conspiracy theories or partisan fabrications. However, unfortunately for her reporting, these are factual, documented issues. Dead voters are still registered. Duplicate votes are being cast. Illegally registered individuals are requesting ballots. I am simply asking for an explanation from the Board of Elections. It is their duty to ensure the integrity of our election system.
Most egregiously, Wintrode accused me of “trying to stop the election.” This is an absurd premise and a blatant misrepresentation; a stereotype designed to smear anyone who questions the establishment. In our report to the State Board of Elections dated February 27, 2024, we explicitly stated we were presenting our data as an opportunity for the State Board of Elections to consider the potential election system vulnerabilities in advance of the 2024 elections. Ms. Wintrobe received a copy of this report on March 7th, 2024. Therefore she well knows the expressed purpose of the report was to give the State Board of Elections an opportunity to publicly address these concerns. Still, allow me to be crystal clear now: The goal of our efforts is and always has been to restore the public’s faith in our election system.
By the time I became aware of Ms. Wintrobe’s 10/21/24 article, it was too late for me to comment. Regardless, she had enough leads to follow from our report without my data. Instead, Wintrode focused on discrediting me personally. Her portrayal leaves the real story on the cutting room floor. She should be far more interested in the vulnerabilities in our electoral system.
This shift in journalistic priorities is not just frustrating—it’s dangerous. We are witnessing the gradual erosion of the fourth estate, the press. The press is supposed to hold the powerful to account. It seems Wintrode and others no longer see themselves as watchdogs of the establishment; but rather, they are its bodyguards. When did the mission of journalism change from exposing corruption to protecting those responsible for it?
In a sane world, journalists would take up the mantle of investigating the facts I’ve presented. They would seize the opportunity to pull on the threads I’ve offered, to uncover the truth. They have access and resources that I, a concerned citizen, can only dream of. But instead of pursuing these leads, the focus is almost always to attack those who demand transparency.
This isn’t about partisan politics. It’s about ensuring the institutions that are meant to serve us are held accountable. It shouldn’t be controversial to ask why certain vulnerabilities exist in our electoral system. It shouldn’t be shameful to demand answers from those who oversee our elections. And yet, it doesn’t matter how reasonable or factual our questions are, it is an unforgivable offense to ask. In fact, at the time of this publication, I have learned that Ms. Wintrobe’s article was circulated among Maryland Board of Election members, presumably, to intimidate and serve as a warning not to communicate with me over my verifiable concerns.
This kind of journalistic malfeasance is also a betrayal of public trust. So many journalists have become willing operators who make facts and the truth even harder to discern for the average reader. And where is their curiosity? What happened to integrity? Transparency and exposure should be primary among their goals. We rely on them to correct the record, to right wrongs, to champion the little guy.
Journalism, at its best, should protect the truth. Unfortunately, it is all too common to see journalists defend the indefensible. So many journalists have become complicit in the corruption they once sought to expose. A healthy Republic requires journalists who will challenge power, not protect it. Anything less is a disservice to us all.
