Journalist Arrests Raise Censorship Concerns

Columnist warns of growing threats to press freedom from corporations and government

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

In a recent opinion column, Charita Goshay expresses concern that the recent arrests of journalists are a troubling sign of potential censorship to come. She cites the request by utility company FirstEnergy to the Ohio Public Utilities Commission to allow longer delays in addressing service interruptions, which Goshay views as an example of corporations wielding influence to avoid accountability.

Why it matters

The arrest of journalists is seen as a 'blinking red light' that the press is under siege from both corporations and the government, raising fears about the future of press freedom and the public's right to information, especially on issues of corporate and government accountability.

The details

In her column, Goshay points to the recent arrests of journalists as evidence of a growing threat to press freedom. She cites the request by FirstEnergy, a utility company in Ohio, to the state's Public Utilities Commission to allow longer delays in addressing service interruptions. Goshay views this as an example of corporations attempting to avoid accountability by exerting influence over regulators.

  • The opinion column was published on February 8, 2026.

The players

Charita Goshay

A columnist who expresses concern about the growing threats to press freedom from corporations and the government.

FirstEnergy

A utility company in Ohio that has requested permission from the state's Public Utilities Commission to allow longer delays in addressing service interruptions.

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio

The state regulatory body that is considering FirstEnergy's request to allow longer delays in addressing service interruptions.

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The takeaway

Goshay's column highlights the growing concerns about the erosion of press freedom and the public's right to information, as both corporations and governments appear to be taking steps to avoid accountability and limit the ability of journalists to report on issues of public interest.