There it was again. Another sport where the protected and spoiled millionaires were being “protected” from the press by the infamous “security.” This time it was tennis.

At the WTA’s tour event in Indian Wells, Calif., this past weekend, an issue arose (what a surprise) regarding sister players Serena Williams and Venus Williams and their father Richard. There was a report that Richard was deciding who would win matches between the sisters – a fix if you will.

Ultimately, the semifinal match between the sisters never occurred as Venus dropped out due to tendinitis in her knee, an injury unseen by fans and other players in matches leading up to the semi with her sister.

When reporters tried to inquire of Richard regarding the matter, Richard reported called “security” and told them to keep the reporters away.

There is a growing trend in all sports to prevent the press from doing their job. No place is worse than Yankee Stadium where “security” would keep Stalin or any other tyrant happy. Trying to approach a Yankee to ask a question is tougher than ending up the chair on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”

“Security” are those people hired by the teams or event organizers to do – well, that’s the question. Once local police refused to be coddling bodyguards to the rich and misunderstood, these “security” people started showing up at sporting venues. Their sole job seems to be to violate The First Amendment and keep the press away from the stories. Unless, of course, the team or its stars need the publicity, then the press are herded into some confined quarters to be read to – no questions allowed.

This is a day and age where the entertainment world, which includes sports, is filled with stories of murder, drugs, rapes, beatings and other assorted mayhem. The press, of course, never gets the stories right if you listen to the spin doctors who write the scripts for the deprived, misinterpreted athletes. Then again, any story other than the one the athlete wants to get out is wrong, never mind the facts.

The saddest part is, the fans seem to be buying the prepared garbage and blaming the press for all the ills, just the way the big boys want it.

In a time where sensationalism is the name of the news game (let’s talk the circus about to occur in the McVeigh execution), even the media outlets which are supposed to be gathering the facts seem more intent on the sleaze, playing right into the hands of the purveyors of distortion and outright lies.

There was a time when all reporters were charged with finding and developing the facts, wherever they might lead. Those reporters are fewer in number now, and we are all losers because of it.

The trick is to read and listen critically if you seek truth. Find those reporters who consistently strive to deliver the factual story and stay with it up to the end. It’s not a matter of finding someone reporting what we want to hear; it’s finding someone who reports what is.

“Security” is making that job tougher in sports, but the grinders are out there. Seek them out and be thankful they are willing to buck the trend.

Old Town native Gary Thorne is an ESPN and NBC sportscaster.