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Below is a transcript of Levin’s remarks:
“Too many media outlets today are simply dishonest and deceitful about who they are and what they’re doing.
“They claim to be journalists; they cling to the nomenclature; they insist they’re pursuing facts and investigating wrongdoing, and holding the government to account and so forth, but all too frequently, that simply is not the case, as you and I both know.
“Free speech and freedom of the press are essential to our constitutional republic. When they are abused by pretenders that is a threat to our constitutional republic. When you dress up partisan politics as freedom of the press, it’s destructive of freedom of the press.
“Free speech, freedom of the press, are among only two of our rights that are enshrined in the Constitution that are intended to protect us, the people – to promote our liberties, to secure our other rights. They are part of a mosaic of rights and safeguards to protect the individual. They’re not there to protect media companies, per se, or quasi-famous hosts who enjoy being on TV and so forth. They’re there for a reason. They’re there for a reason.
“I would not alter the constitution and our bill of rights in any respect. That’s not my point. My point is it really is time to focus on those who are abusing their power and to more thoroughly call them to account.
“They may have the right to lie; they may have the right to deceive; they may have the right to do what they do; but it’s not right. And they’re undermining this republic.
“It is an incredible power, an incredible power that somebody on TV or radio has, and if they do not accurately or honestly identify who they are, and what they’re doing, and why they’re doing it, they are abusing that power. And that’s the truth.”