After Charlie Kirk’s Assassination, A Reporter Reflects on Free Speech and Fear
As a small-town part-time reporter, photojournalist, and storyteller, whatever title people may give me, the political assassination of Charlie Kirk has shaken me deeply. Today feels like a stark reminder that we, as Americans, must find a way to come together, to debate, and to speak freely without fear of violence.
A graphic video now circulating on X shows the moment Charlie Kirk, CEO and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed during the “American Come Back” event at Utah Valley University.
This hits me hard because I know, on a much smaller scale, what it’s like to face backlash simply for writing the truth. Over the years, my reporting has cost me sponsorships, job opportunities, and even subjected me to insults from those who disagreed with what I uncovered.
In more than 20 years working in media, I have never witnessed this level of political violence against a journalist in the United States. It forces me to ask the question: how might this affect me and the way I report?
I may never stand on a national stage with millions reading my stories or watching my videos, but what if someone in my own community doesn’t like what I produce?
Am I prepared to keep telling the truth, even if it could cost me my life? That question lingers with me.
I think of stories I’ve published that community leaders would have preferred stayed hidden. But truth should never depend on popularity or power. No matter how unpopular a view may be, every American has the right to speak freely without fear of punishment or violence.
Tonight, on the eve of September 11, 2025, I can’t help but reflect on another national tragedy. Twenty-four years ago, our country mourned as the Twin Towers fell in New York City, an attack that claimed 2,977 lives. Each year, Patriot Day reminds us of that loss and the resilience of a nation determined to stand united.
Today, I worry we are slipping away from that unity. America should never feel like a place where free speech is silenced by violence.
Sections of this article were created utilizing artificial intelligence to maintain coherence.
