An Index that does not make for happy reading...
Reporters without Borders has just published the yearly World Press Freedom Index. Turkmenistan has overtaken North Korea as the worst country in a list of a 180. Norway is at the top, followed by Finland, Sweden, respectively. The United States dropped three places to 48th. President Trump's hatred of the media, which he refers to as "fake news" and the "enemy of the people" certainly has not helped the situation, there. The US also joined the top five "deadliest countries" for journalists.
I expect that the freedom ranking of the US would have been even lower had Reporters without Borders seen the press conference today concerning the Mueller Report. Apart from the fact that Attorney General William Barr only released a redacted version (a euphemism for a censored version), he was only willing to do so after he preempted public reaction. He even used language that was biased in favour of Trump, and incompatible with his position, which should be one of impartiality.
Press freedom is the litmus test of a healthy society
The importance of press freedom cannot be overstated. Journalism sheds a light that exposes the workings of politicians and people with power. It holds them to account. But journalism also keeps us informed of the development of out world: its strengths and weaknesses, its opportunities and threats. Journalism unites us in common causes. Only countries that have something to hide, oppose it.; what other reason could there be? I remember seeing a vignette once, it read:
First they came for the journalists... We don't know what happened next.
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