Chapter 105 Freedom of the Press

These reporters usually rely on their status to challenge everyone and everything, be it politicians or celebrities. They dare to confront people and question them. If they are bold enough, even the president can be put in a difficult position by them.

Celebrities and politicians need to care about their public image. Their source of power and the foundation of their reputation come from the public, and the media can influence the public's perception of them.

So, they can only honestly accept interviews, enduring any displeasure in their hearts. At most, they can refuse interviews or refuse to answer questions.

Most businessmen also have to speak carefully when facing reporters, at the very least, not offend them, because reporters' reports can affect their company's stock price and performance.

When facing others, these reporters naturally feel confident, but when they go up against a scion like Reynoldson Rockefeller, their status might not be as effective.

Because Renoson's strength comes from himself. His business has no apparent connection to the Rockefeller Family, and his confidence stems from his own power.

However, reporters cannot ignore the influence of the Rockefeller Family behind Reynoldson Rockefeller, so Reynoldson Rockefeller naturally has the confidence to refuse.

Another key point is that Reynoldson Rockefeller is in the private prison business. The consumers and clients of this business are prisoners. Do prisoners have a choice?

Therefore, as long as Reynoldson Rockefeller doesn't care how the media reports, these reporters have no way to deal with him.

Especially when Reynoldson Rockefeller's words are all well-reasoned and substantiated, reporters genuinely cannot act presumptuously in front of him.

His business is not affected by the media, nor does he care about his public image, coupled with immense economic power and an incredibly strong family background.

With so many conditions combined in one person, if reporters still dared to act arrogant in front of Reynoldson Rockefeller, they would definitely have a problem with their brains.

"Of course we have evidence: a recording of a conversation between a prisoner serving time in your prison and his family.

The prisoner stated that the prison food is unpalatable and simply inedible, and that to eat good food, one must pay for it.

Furthermore, regarding accommodation, they are now crammed hundreds of people into one large cell. To stay in the previous four-person or two-person rooms, they need to pay for a bed.

Everything that used to be free now requires payment, and they cannot endure this torment.

Mr. Reynoldson Rockefeller, are these two situations reported by the prisoner true?"

Reynoldson Rockefeller did not answer the female reporter's question but instead gestured for her to play the recording completely in front of everyone.

It must be said that these reporters are quite resourceful, actually carrying a recording pen with this recording on them.

However, Reynoldson Rockefeller was not flustered, because he knew that this minor matter would not affect him in any way.

"I've finished listening to the recording. Some things do exist, but this prisoner's subjective emotions are quite strong, and I don't think there's anything wrong with these measures."

As soon as Renoson uttered these words, the reporters on the scene immediately became excited, like sharks smelling blood.

Especially the female reporter who had just asked the question immediately pressed further: "Mr. Renoson, are you admitting that your prison is abusing prisoners? Do you think this act of abusing prisoners is reasonable? Will you apologize to the public for your company's erroneous actions?"

"Shh!"

Reynoldson Rockefeller made a gesture, signaling for everyone to be quiet.

"I haven't finished speaking yet. Which of my words just now admitted that our company abuses prisoners? I reminded you that I have arranged for a photographer to film and record. Do I need to remind you again?

You can interpret freely, but if you fail to report my meaning truthfully and cause significant damage to my reputation and that of our company, I will definitely sue you!"

"Mr. Renoson, are you threatening us? We are not afraid of your threats. America is a free country, and the news here is free."

A reporter in the crowd shouted loudly, but such nonsense had no effect on Reynoldson Rockefeller.

"It's not a threat; I'm just stating a fact. In reality, you've been making trouble and haven't let me finish speaking from beginning to end.

America indeed has freedom of the press, but the premise is that you report the news truthfully. If you fabricate stories and quote out of context, isn't it perfectly reasonable for me to sue you to death? Isn't this a right granted to me by law?

This is your first interruption; you have two more chances.

Do you still want to hear what I have to say? If you still can't learn to abide by interview rules, then I'll just leave!"

At this moment, Reynoldson Rockefeller appeared very domineering, because Wang Xiuyuan had told him that most of these reporters are cheapskates; the nicer you are to them, the more likely they are to take advantage.

So Reynoldson Rockefeller had to learn how to train reporters and make them follow his rhythm during interviews.

Instead of blindly complying and flattering these people, a long-term defensive stance would eventually lead to the opponent finding weaknesses and causing him to fall into a passive position.

Seeing that the many reporters remained silent, Renoson continued to speak.

"Our managed prisons have indeed added some fee-based services, which is for prison management costs and profitability considerations.

Previously, America's Federal Prisons were entirely funded by government finances. Now, the government is unable to bear the high annual expenses of prisons and has no choice but to transfer the prisons to private contractors.

Prisons are now a business. Since it's a business, profitability must be considered. Is there a problem with that?

Since you were able to find me for an interview, I presume you must have understood the operating conditions of Federal Prisons, right?

The annual expense for one prisoner is around four hundred dollars, but after the Federal Government contracted out the prisons to us, they only provide a three hundred dollar subsidy per prisoner per year.

If we don't introduce some fee-based services, how can this prison operate smoothly? Or perhaps you can convince the Federal Government and State Government to fully fund it?

Go ask those taxpayers if they are willing to use the taxes they worked so hard to pay to support these prisoners?"

Renoson's statement was irrefutable. It seemed fine, but it actually buried a huge landmine at the end.

No one would dare say that taxes should be used to support prisoners, neither these reporters nor federal politicians. Anyone who dared to say such nonsense would be cursed to death by the public.

So, the tricky reporters could only find another way.

"But even so, you can't abuse prisoners! They are human beings too, and they have human rights!"

This was exactly what Reynoldson Rockefeller wanted to hear; he wished these reporters would bring up human rights.

"Did you see my expression? I'm giving you a look, you figure it out yourself."

Reynoldson Rockefeller looked at the reporter who had just spoken with an extremely contemptuous gaze. Anyone with eyes could see how much Reynoldson Rockefeller detested that reporter.

"What do you mean! You're humiliating me!"

That reporter was completely broken by Reynoldson Rockefeller's expression...

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