W. Wilson Goode Jr. says the media doesn't care about his mission.

City Councilman W. Wilson Goode Jr., speaking from his desk in Council's chambers this morning, defended the right of the media to tell stories as he bashed the same media for telling a story about his office.  Of course it's this story here and here.  What else would it be?

Goode said his oath of office meant he was required to defend the U.S. Constitution, which includes the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of the press.  Goode said he would defend that right, even if the press told stories that were "inaccurate" or "misleading" or "simple petty politics."  For good measure, he also bashed the local media for lacking diversity.

Goode's chief legislative aide, Latrice Bryant, was not in Council's chambers this morning.  She drew widespread attention during last week's session for holding up signs accusing Fox 29 News of racism for investigating a story about her attending to personal business while logged in as working at her City Hall office.  Goode repeated that he has corrected a problem with how his employees filled out their work time sheets.  And he complained that reporters who have been covering the Bryant issue ignored this.

"The time sheet tipster doesn't care about my mission," Goode continued. "For the last week, it appears as if the press doesn't care about my mission either. But I care about my mission. I believe in freedom of the press, even with its lack of diversity.  Many black elected officials would never admit it but the lack of diversity in the press is a major issue for us.  In fact, many don't feel that the freedom of speech applies equally to them."

Goode made his speech as reporters from newspapers, radio stations and Fox 29 took notes and recorded his words.  His final point:

"I took an oath of office. I will not betray it," Goode vowed. "But I also will not allow anyone else to judge me or impose their values on me or tell me what to do in my office."