Scooping 'em in America

The Free Press got there first

by Doug Collins

In the January issue, we recounted some of the highlights of in-state news coverage in the Free Press during the past ten years. This issue, we recount some national issues that the Free Press reported in the decade since its founding.

At the Free Press, we've made it a habit to scoop the major dailies and weeklies. Sometimes we are years in advance. How do we do it? Instead of assigning topics, we let writers follow their personal interests. We edit articles with an open mind and concerned heart, without influence of advertising money or wealthy ownership. Please subscribe to help support our effort to bring you progressive news from near and far!

Energy deregulation could shock consumers and environment ("The Price of Power" Mar '98) We published this prescient article two years before the California power catastrophe.

Scientific research shows income inequality leads to poor national health ("Are the Rich Making Us Sick?" by Stephen Bezruchka, MD) A similar article by Bezruchka was later published in Newsweek.

Food disparagement laws make it risky for environmentalists to criticize pesticides ("Lettuce Libel" Apr '96, by Eric Nelson) This was named a Project Censored top story in 1997.

The forced use of the Norplant contraceptive in Washington and other states ("Norplant: Dark Side of the Law" Mar '97 by Rebecca Kavoussi) This was named Project Censored's #7 top story of the year.

Ex-Boeing weapons expert blasts Bush missile defense plan (Jul '01, by Bob Hicks). In this article, former Boeing weapons expert Donald Whitmore asserted that the danger from foreign missiles is miniscule compared to dangers from lower-tech strategies, such as use of civilian airplanes. This was certainly proven a few months later on September 11, 2001.

Opposition to flouridation re-emerges as a water quality issue ("Flouridation: Toxic and Ineffective" Jan '02 by Emily Kalweit) We have also printed continued updates on flouridation statewide. Incidentally, the Sierra Club now calls for a moratorium on the practice.

Silicon Valley uses immigrant engineers to keep wages low ("Silicon Valley Sweatshops" Jul '00 by David Bacon) This received Project Censored's #10 top censored story honors for the year 2000.

Dangers of dental mercury ("Dental Malpractice" Jan '98, and "Mercury in your Mouth" Sep '01 by Christine Johnson) This health and environmental issue has recently seen more mainstream reporting.

Oil safety concerns on the Alaska pipeline ("Crude Behavior" Aug '95 by Eric Nelson) Severe lack of oversight and accountability have caused large-scale environmental damage.