[ THE FACTS ] News media advocacy group Reporters Without Borders reported that the United States has fallen from 44th place to 53rd in the group's fifth annual Worldwide Press Freedom Index, which ranks countries on actions taken against news media, according to the Washington Post. The organization cites President Bush's regarding "as suspicious any journalist who questioned his 'war on terrorism'" as reason for the drop in ranking. Does this fall indicate a tendency toward media oppression?
Weak fiber shows in complaint\nLest you think the country of the First Amendment was in the business of promoting liberty abroad and at home, Reporters Without Borders set us straight this week. \nEvery so often, this kind of idle reporting emerges to supply Bush-haters with badly needed new material. The administration has strived to secure the lives and liberties of the American people while nobly assisting others around the world to secure their own. Believe me when I say that most Democrats have nothing useful to impart on that score. \nI certainly don't believe, as some conservatives sometimes simplistically say, that all those who are vigilant of civil liberties are of "weak fiber" when it comes to national security. For that reason, it's surprising to discover that some of them are.
Oppression requires assertion\nAmerica's position in the Worldwide Press Freedom Index more aptly demonstrates the attitude of the American press towards its government than vice versa. The "solid" quantitative numbers of the survey are compiled from questionnaires completed by news organizations (as well as others including researchers and human rights activists) about the governments in question. \nI haven't seen a "steady erosion of press freedom" in America. I see a "steady erosion" of press courage. The detention of a few journalists is deplorable, but the United States doesn't toss reporters out of corruption cases like Bolivia. The U.S. doesn't crack down on reporters who stand up against the government because few journalist have done so. \nWe should be vigilant, but before condemning the Bush White House for gagging reporters, maybe reporters should stop gagging themselves.
