We’re No. 53!

Local, National 1 Minute

According to the Annual Worldwide Press Freedom Index for 2006, the United States has fallen nine places since last year, to # 53 on the list.

Relations between the media and the Bush administration sharply deteriorated after the president used the pretext of “national security” to regard as suspicious any journalist who questioned his “war on terrorism.” The zeal of federal courts which, unlike those in 33 US states, refuse to recognise the media’s right not to reveal its sources, even threatens journalists whose investigations have no connection at all with terrorism.

Freelance journalist and blogger Josh Wolf was imprisoned when he refused to hand over his video archives. Sudanese cameraman Sami al-Haj, who works for the pan-Arab broadcaster Al-Jazeera, has been held without trial since June 2002 at the US military base at Guantanamo, and Associated Press photographer Bilal Hussein has been held by US authorities in Iraq since April this year.

The U.S. was ranked 17th in the inaugural index in 2002.

UPDATE: I see fellow Hampton Roads blogger Mosquito beat me to this.

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8 thoughts on “We’re No. 53!”

  2. Vivian….

    It doesn’t hurt to have others reporting on the same thing…One adege of journalism is that a story doesn’t “take” on just one or two run throughs….that’s why the media continues to report on a topic to keep it a priority….

    Hopefully you will also be on the “Watch” for when local and national media fails to adequately report something….The corporate media needs to be held accountable too.

    Thanks Vivian for continuing to share your wise thoughts.

    Buzz..Buzz..

  5. This is a terrible list.

    Countries considered more free than the United States:

    Israel (?!)
    Japan
    South Africa
    BOLIVIA???
    Bosnia

    I’m amazed that countries such as Chile and Costa Rica do not rise as high on the list, while more homogenous nations (where everyone agrees?) rise to the top.

    Scale is important too: the worst offender gets a 109.00 (North Korea) while America ranks at 13.00. In fact, your median score is Liberia (undergoing a civil war gone cold) at 19.00

    Beyond that Reporters w/o Borders isn’t exactly the most pro-American organization in the world.

  6. Yeah, America, No. 1! Clap louder!

    ~

    And what does “pro-American” mean, Shaun? Mindless jingoism? Love it or leave it? I’ll take Reporter Without Borders over that Fox crap any day. Get out a little more.

  7. Amazing! That’s *precisely* what I meant! Mindless jingoism, love it or leave it, let Fox News’ mind control waves wash over my body and then regurgitate it online.

    How did you peg me so well?

    Now I’m off to impose my will upon others, namecall anyone who shows dissent, and oh yes — spew invective upon anyone who challenges my worldview. Because that’s what conservatives do….

    😉

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