The United States has continued to fall in the annual ranking of global press freedom under President Barack Obama. The U.S. fell three places to 49th from its already low 46th place last year by Reporters Without Borders 2015 World Press Freedom Index.
The index shows that the United States is now ranked behind Malta, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Despite the continued support of many liberals, President Obama has racked up one of the most hostile Administrations in history to press freedom. Indeed, President Obama has been called by leading reporters one of the most anti-media Administration in a generation.
In case you are looking for press freedom, you can look at the top 15 countries, where you will find some of our closest allies:
#1 Finland
#2 Norway
#3 Denmark
#4 Netherlands
#5 Sweden
#6 New Zealand
#7 Austria
#8 Canada
#9 Jamaica
#10 Estonia
#11 Ireland
#12 Germany
#13 Czech Republic
#14 Slovakia
#15 Belgium
As previously written, we tend to talk a good game about our freedoms as if they are inviolate and guaranteed. The fact is that we have have a serious rollback on civil liberties in the last decade — a trend that threatens not just our freedoms but our very identity. In the meantime, Mongolia has good reason to hope that it will pass up the U.S. just a couple spots ahead on the rankings for next year.
I think kudos are in order for our favorite hoser, Isaac. “Oh Canada, our home and native land..” made #8 on the list. Can you imagine our ranking in a couple years if Hillary is elected prez. My God, a little pee just came out thinking about that!
Yeah, let’s elect a Republican President, one of the Koch brothers’ poodles so we can eliminate any say workers have in the equation.
Darren….. you’re Not going there…
REALLY!
—-
and Paul…. need particularity….
for one journo, who has gone down, did so by pleading guilty;
because he (stupidly) threatened an FBI agent
and His Family!
I wonder if the left is proud of this achievement. It must be since they enabled much of this to happen by sitting idle. But it is at least consistent in that the same people greatly attack those who criticize President Obama. It is often beyond ordinary debate but rather an attempt to silence any opposition.
At the very least many of the President’s more ardent supporters look at what they believe to be a greater good and dismiss this anti-journalistic approach as being necessary or delude themselves into believing it is not important or minimal in nature.
Then there are those who have invested so much in declaring President Obama is such a model president that they cannot bring themselves to criticize him even in their own minds.
Plus, we have to endure the old argument that the president has his “faults” but he is certainly better than someone else, who was treacherous.
The situation is not going to change until the Democrats decide to make a concerted effort to reign in this administration. It is all but certain the opposition will and that is expected by the administration. But when his own political party and its backers in the public get with the program and demand reform, we can all expect this administration to view the press with a Nixonian level of contempt and fear.
Another journalist is going to jail as we speak for passing on a link.
Sometimes, I think that we’ve been overly tolerant of journalist and the use of free speech that we’ve allowed personal opines to overshadow the truth and partisan bigotry to entice many of our citizens thinking.
You are correct, in the remark that he is a “messenger”. The question that begs – then – is what is “the” message!
As for your snide condescends – it is par for your course.
Glen Greenwald, Sheryll Atkisson, James Rosen, James Risen, and many more superb reporters would say 49th is generous.
They prefer the grape Koolaid if anyones mixing up a batch.
Any headline criticizing the cult leader brings out the hardcore cultists. Some attack the messenger[JT], some use denial, some distraction, to protect their cult leader @ all costs. It is a classic pathology. The Jonestown Syndrome.
From RT,
The headline reads:
“Obama’s Cybersecurity Summit to feature big names, anti-hacker order”
http://rt.com/usa/231903-white-house-cybersecurity-summit/
All that wonderful press freedom in those European socialist style countries! Maybe we can model our healthcare after their system as well as our freedoms of the press.
Sad commentary.
A prime example of the decline in U.S. freedoms (or better said the growth of a police bureaucracy that oppresses) is the image that foreign visitors face when they pass through U.S. customs for the first time.
(Signs prohibiting the use of recording devices; signs warning of the severe penalties of assaulting a federal officer; dogs sniffing luggage (for farm products and drugs!); the “behavioral profiling officers” staring coldly at each passenger; the proliferation of weapons; cameras everywhere; and perhaps worst, the lack of friendliness from federal agents representing a country known for being relaxed and open.)
I visited the Soviet Union; this feels much the same.
By contrast, pass through customs in Europe – even the German customs officers have a pleasant word for visitors.
Aridog;
Part of my banter is “inside” discourse. But such needs to be said publicly. As I’m not on bend of knee to DOJ, the Administration, or their opposites, there is a need to state on record – that where others fear to tread.
We are in agree that things are “off” as far as the media goes.
As for consequences, there is little more that I can pay to the causes, other than the ultimate. For now, it would appear, my fears may subside, as he did (purportedly) quit. (Though, rest assured, I’ve not quit at getting him arrested – and hence, if things should heat up – so would the risks inherent).
My premise is to the side of the law – for the Professor there – does care!
LaserDLiquidator … we must differ on Professor Turley’s opinions as presented on this blog. Or, do I misunderstand you? In my mind he presents topics that are worth discussion, however simple or complex, and in one instance ( the power of words, or lack thereof thread) has spread to my discussion of it with a wide and diverse group of people I know face to face. We are free to speak and say what we want…no doubt there, but we are also subject to the consequences of our speech. If not, the “right” is worthless.
I spend little time on media and press freedoms since they have gone off the rails too often. I’m far more inclined to entertain comments in places like here, yours included.
I have a raging cold and am taking DayQuil and NyQuil by the handfuls. So, I’m not sure if the posts above by BD and LDL are truly gibberish or I’m hallucinating.
Kudos to JT for publishing material that Obama’s friends in the liberal media dare not publish for fear of retribution.
Barking Dog…would you please come and talk to our “Dera” dog…she’s now adapted to the most costly food around, all Royal Canin Rx formulations. I go to pick up three cases of it today, ordered to assure “Dera” would continue to eat well. She passed her last exam and radiology with flying colors (no organic or in-organic blockages)…but has mastered the art of conning me in to stupid costly food. She’s strong as a bull at 10 and, for a German Shepherd, has the most powerful hind quarters I could ask for anytime….not one degree of “slope” to her top-line…all muscle and alignment for pure power. She is as strong as her former playmate “Ari” who was over sized and powerful enough to take me (once upon a time 200 lbs, 6 feet tall, and no fat) to the ground in protection drills. Now if Miss “Dera” would just get back to her soft kibble and supplements, I’d be most appreciative.
We you say “we tend to talk a good game about our freedom” (presuming ‘Of the Press’)…. the operative term most apropos is the “we”! For most of (main stream) press operates for profit and propaganda.
As does this blog!
Blaming a POTUS Administration for lack of freedom of the press, across the board, while not dealing in particulars/specifics, is again to condemning all of the Ferguson, Missouri for the failures of McCullough.
He needed to duplicity of investigators and perpetrator, to do the ruse.
To some extent, our agencies of press had ethical intents, heretofore; but have been forced to abandon such – as a matter of survival. The logic being that – if we’re out of business – we can’t do ANY news (hence it is better to sell out {partially} – than to become a never more).
This blog does it too – and you know it. You are a master of law and sit idle by, with issues that (at least should be) screaming to be told. But you know that you can’t get the keys to the inner city – unless you draw a line of exception.
One reporter who was so endeared to a case, tried 3 times, to fight hard to do it; but his immediate health needs and that of a sibling, made insurance coverage a priority over purity.
Is it hard to choose between health of love ones and love of investigation?
You are fair game here, but not often so, because your realm has a sense of toleration. For that I commend you. But – at the same time – being defined by both what you do and don’t do, this thread is thereby hypocritical.
You and I both know more about Barack Obama, his S&A, origins and more, than any would dare to even revue. We both know that he, though perceived as “THE” most powerful man on the planet, is but so by the grace of the real powers that be.
Times are changing Professor and your being of this net realm, shows you (partially) understand that. But if you don’t find a way by verity, to endear, your choices of demise or comprise, may be too great;
and seal your fate!
We are free to print all of Obama’s selfies, though, so we got that going for us.
I had a bad dish of canned dog food last night. It was made in America. I wont give the brand name out but I believe that it is Obama’s fault. Things have gone to Hell in a Handbasket in the last ten years. First, in Bush’s last year the stock market went to Hell in a Handbasket. My half blind guy’s Dow Index Fund with Morgan Stanley went down to 9600 (Dow Index). He sold his fund. Since then the Dow has come back to 18000. He blames Obama for that and I do too.
As to the Free Press in America. Ferguson used to have its own newspaper. It was called The Town Talk. Having a town newspaper held the community together. The Town Talk got bought out by Suburban Journals which was later owned by Pulitzer and run by the Post Dispatch. They quit covering Ferguson over time and finally went out of business. Capitalism. The Post Dispatch used to have all sorts of people on staff who were reporters. They are gone. There are a few. The Post will rehash all the AP and whatnot. The Post cannot even cover the Ferguson problem well. The Pulitzer family sold out years ago. Some consortium owns it. Same thing happened when the Graham family pulled out of the Washington Post. That is two newspapers who employ the word Post in their name who have gone South. Blame Obama. He gets blamed for everything else. No credit given for the Dow Index going up to 18,000 under his watch though. My half blind guy bought some stock in Enron too. Bad move.
Whether its dog food, the Dow Index, or bad workers at the cathouse on C Street in DC, its all about Obama. Post his photo every time something bad happens. Good journalism. Blogs have helped the public see things. But, they can be used to abuse. Why has journalism slid downhill? Ask a living member of the Pulitzer family. Or the Graham family. Not Lindsey Graham.