You know what I expect to find on the official White House website?
Information about the economy.
Federal programs.
Public policy.
Resources for Americans.
You know what I did not expect to find?
An actual page called “Media Offenders” featuring an “Offender Hall of Shame,” a leaderboard, and categories including “Left-Wing Lunacy.”
I wish I were kidding.
The website of the United States government now includes a searchable database dedicated to tracking reporters, journalists, and news organizations the administration doesn’t like. It even ranks outlets on a leaderboard described as a “race to the bottom.”
Because apparently we’re one step away from handing out detention slips.
And if that wasn’t ridiculous enough, the White House has also encouraged the public to submit examples of alleged media bias so the database can continue to grow.
Think about that for a second.
The government isn’t asking for ideas to lower housing costs.
It isn’t crowdsourcing solutions for healthcare.
It isn’t collecting suggestions for making life more affordable.
It’s asking people to help maintain a government-sponsored complaint board for journalists.
You don’t have to agree with every reporter.
You don’t have to trust every news outlet.
You don’t have to like what the press writes.
That’s freedom.
But when the people in power start using taxpayer-funded government resources to create official enemies lists for the people questioning them, every American should pay attention.
Because a free press is supposed to hold power accountable.
Power is not supposed to keep score.
And if the White House has enough spare time to build a Hall of Shame for reporters, maybe it’s time to ask why they aren’t spending that time fixing the problems Americans actually elected them to solve.