Freedom of the Press

by **Bobbie En Tejas** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 5:47 pm

Interesting to see the rankings of the global press for 2008.

http://www.freedomhouse.org/uploads/fop ... Tables.pdf

by **ionnsaigh** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 10:07 am

Bobbie, I can't seem to use the link you posted. Any chance of you putting up the list. As I know you must be relaxed and refreshed after your holiday. There is even a wee Glesga lassie over in Washington - hope she keeps her mouth shut .

by **Bobbie En Tejas** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 1:47 pm

Looks like that didn't give the whole URL

Go to http://www.freedomhouse.org on the left is a link for Freedom of the Press. Click that and then Release Materials. Then go down to the link that says Tables.

by **ionnsaigh** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 2:35 pm

Freedomhouse, mmm - What makes them think - that the fight for Democracy - allows them - to interfere in sovereign states.
CIA

by **Bobbie En Tejas** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 6:17 am

Sorry.. I have no clue what your point is.

by **ionnsaigh** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:40 am

Bobbie, freedomhouse as far as I'm aware - was set up to combat Fascism and Communism. Amongst it's many claims - it purports to be the voice for democracy and freedom. The board of trustees share a common view that - American leadership in international affairs - is essential to the cause of human rights and democracy.
This I find particularly troublesome. In a way it is - imperialistic jargon used by an imperialistic power. It claims leadership under a guise of fighting for the twin benefits - of freedom and democracy. It has - as a side dish - the proactive belief in the globalisation - by the open market economy.
On the one hand - it appears to champion human rights - on the other - it dictates human rights.
Lets say that North Korea - adopted an identical philosophy regarding leadership - some would go one way - and some the other.
However both would be wrong - in claiming leadership - in the fight for human rights. They both negate - the equal rights of every human being on the planet - by the mere addition of leadership.
Thanks America - I can fight for my own rights - without the hindrance of some capitalist upstart - claiming leadership over my rights.
Isn't it slightly ironic this organisation - was set up as a result of Fascism. A fascism given power - through democratic election.
The question begs - democratic systems can prove to be - both positive and negative. Yet this organisation currently funded by massive amounts - by the American government - actively supports the one sided view - that Democracy somehow equates Freedom. When in the case of Nazi Germany it did not.
Who owns the American press ?. A few families - and a few global media organisations. These few are the only ones - who enjoy the freedom to obscure - and bastardise journalistic ethics - particularly objectivity.
The tables of - who has and who has not - press freedom - and those caught in-between - are interesting however. Generally speaking they show an equal three way split. Which suggests that the powers that be - still have a considerable battle for complete control of the press. Long may that continue - at least for my freedoms sake.