\tU.S. press freedom plunges to 46th, placing it behind former Soviet states In one of the largest drops in the modern era, the United States has plunged thirteen places in the World Press Freedom Index, placing it behind former Soviet states and other countries not typically known for press freedoms. The massive drop is attributable mostly to the Obama Administration's effort to crack down on whistleblowers. Obama's Justice Department has filed suit against more whistleblowers than any other presidential administration in history. Forty-sixth places it behind the former Soviet republics of Lithuania and Latvia and the satellite states of Romania, Poland and Czechoslovakia (both the Czech Republic and Slovakia). It also puts it behind Ghana, South Africa and El Salvador. “Countries that pride themselves on being democracies and respecting the rule of law have not set an example, far from it,†wrote Reporters Without Borders Tuesday. “Freedom of information is too often sacrificed to an overly broad and abusive interpretation of national security needs, marking a disturbing retreat from democratic practices. Investigative journalism often suffers as a result.†See the entire list and map here. “This has been the case in the United States (46th), which fell 13 places, one of the most significant declines, amid increased efforts to track down whistleblowers and the sources of leaks. The trial and conviction of Private Bradley Manning and the pursuit of NSA analyst Edward Snowden were warnings to all those thinking of assisting in the disclosure of sensitive information that would clearly be in the public interest,†they added. The U.S. hasn't fared well in the rankings in the past - last year, the group put the U.S. at 32nd. Traditionally, this put it behind myriad European countries (Finland, Norway, Germany and Switzerland). Canada placed 18th. There are 180 countries on the list. Of the United States and Britain, Reporters Without Borders writes: <blockquote>US journalists were stunned by the Department of Justice's seizure of Associated Press phone records without warning in order to identify the source of a CIA leak. It served as a reminder of the urgent need for a “shield law†to protect the confidentiality of journalists' sources at the federal level. The revival of the legislative process is little consolation for James Risen of The New York Times, who is subject to a court order to testify against a former CIA employee accused of leaking classified information. And less still for Barrett Brown, a young freelance journalist facing 105 years in prison in connection with the posting of information that hackers obtained from Statfor, a private intelligence company with close ties to the federal government. The United Kingdom (33rd, -3) distinguished itself in the war on terror by the disgraceful pressure it put on The Guardian newspaper and by its detention of David Miranda, journalist Glenn Greenwald's partner and assistant, for nine hours. Both the US and UK authorities seem obsessed with hunting down whistleblowers instead of adopting legislation to rein in abusive surveillance practices that negate privacy, a democratic value cherished in both countries. </blockquote>Across the world, the highest press freedoms are in Europe, the report says. European Union and Balkans: 17.6 (17.5) Americas: 30,3 (30,0) Africa : 35,6 (34,3) Asia-Pacific: 42,2 (42,2) Eastern Europe and Central Asia: 45,5 (45,3) Middle East and North Africa: 48,7 (48,5)
Not supprising. All major and most minor US "news" organizations are nothing more than a mouthpiece for the establishment.
Some Russkie said a couple of years ago that back in the USSR when "The Pravda" was the state organ, everyone knew it was full of lies and paid it little attention. But he was surprised that here in the US the majority of people BELIEVE the press. I know a guy, close to 80 and a Korean War vet, who is glued to CNN and MSNBC every night, soaking it all up like it's gospel.
Welcone to the USSA. All hail amerika! For the commune! For the motherland! Sent from my LG-E739 using Grasscity Forum mobile app
That's because all cable news networks sell bullshit and don't even attempt to report. Easier to follow doctrine than to absorb information and think for yourself. Most old codgers fall easily for bullshit. My grandparents are in their late 90's and worship Fox News, and he was a WWII vet.
Of course David Cameron will do anything to protect US interests instead of defending the liberties of the British people. Spineless Tory corporate shill prick.
Wait, your telling me you know a real live person that watches CNN? Who knew they existed? Back on topic, Im surprised the US isn't ranked lower. It must be all the Alternative media keeping it in the yellow.
lol my grandma has fox playing 24/7. Literally it's on in her sleep. Bill O'Reilly is her Jesus. Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum
who wants too make a wager that when shit hit's the fan we wont have a rebellion like Libya,or other countrys that took down there oppressing government...people will stand around and watch while the few die i saw a video clip of a cop shooting a man after he was downed hand cuffed and a crowd of bystanders were watching..
I know a lot of vets who are glued to FOX and have had one literally call me a liar in so many words for saying something id heard, that he hadnt heard about, because of FOX news. So sad.
Please promise yourself right now you will not let this happen. At the very least, loudly address those around you and ask them if they are okay with what is going on, make them confront their passive behavior. If you are effective enough, you may be able to incite a mob to rush the cop and handcuff him with his own cuffs (just kidding, this would only happen in movies, but we can dream....).
I'm fairly certain there was a film released in 2013 covering that exact video. Soooo.... Yeah, they're totaling robbing us of our first amendment rights. For Christ's sake guys, you're on a forum discussing how you think the government is oppressing the press. If they really were, all of us would be in cell block 13, detention center 24, in texas. I realize times are bad, but we really have it quite alright here, considering.
Honestly guys, how can you be so pissed off? You are only being repeatedly punched in the face. Stop bitching, you could be getting hit in the nuts... seems like we are getting the longer end of the short sick.
Dude, i just realized i have this one friend who wont believe a damn word i say unless it came from fox news. Not the vet i mentioned earlier. Ive literally gotten into the freakin habit of being like, oh yeah, it was on fox news, even if it wasnt, just so he'll swallow that information. It's almost like, "excuse me bro, but dont forget your FOX enema!" XD Every time I Iook at any news I wonder if its propoganda. Im reminded of George Orwell's 1984, where the main character is editing old magazine articles to change and "rewrite" history, except it's all propaganda so he's just editing propaganda since nobody is alive As a witness or aware of what really happened anyways. Shits fucked. Posted an article the other day (go figure) that said the bay of tonkin accident never happened at all and the U.S. Govt. admitted it.... Mind fucked me hard.....