After Occupy Journalist Arrests, US Plummets in Global Press Freedom Rankings

[marmar]

Published on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 by Common Dreams
After Occupy Journalist Arrests, US Plummets in Global Press Freedom Rankings

- Common Dreams staff


Reporters Without Borders has released its annual World Press Freedom Index and the United States fell 27 points to No. 47 on the list. Why? "more than 25 (reporters) were subjected to arrests and beatings at the hands of police" during Occupy movement protests.

"The worldwide wave of protests in 2011 also swept through the New World. It dragged the United States (47th) and Chile (80th) down the index, costing them 27 and 47 places respectively. The crackdown on protest movements and the accompanying excesses took their toll on journalists. In the space of two months in the United States, more than 25 were subjected to arrests and beatings at the hands of police who were quick to issue indictments for inappropriate behavior, public nuisance or even lack of accreditation."

Free Press reports:

In last night’s State of the Union address, President Obama called for a “renewal of American values.” However, over the course of his wide-ranging speech, he made no mention of one core value: the fundamental role of the free press in America.

This absence was highlighted this morning when Reporters Without Borders released its 2011–2012 global Press Freedom Index. After months of journalist arrests and press suppression at Occupy Wall Street-inspired protests, the United States has dropped significantly in the rankings. ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/01/25-6

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/01/25-6

[rhett o rick]

1. There were a lot of values he didnt mention. Like not killing American citizens with drones.

Like not arresting and detaining American citizens without due process (his signing statement isnt BINDING). He didnt tell us that the Patriot Act violated our sacred Constitution and he would rectify that. He didnt say that domestic spying goes against that same ole nuisance of a Constitution. But he has a nice smile and a nice family. Why would we want more. Why would we want freedom. Occupy sees thru this bull f'n shit.

[Earth_First]

2. I watched this happen personally in Rochester, NY

The arrest of on-assignment student journalist Jonathan Foster from RIT created national attention...Carlos Miller of Photography Is Not A Crime picked it up as well as Keith Olbermann and several other outlets reported briefly on the arrest.

SOPA, PIPA, ACTA...

Is there *ANY* doubt what they aim for?

[T S Justly]

3. Another drop in world ranking where it matters. K&R (nt)