Journalists In Jail
Someone on our forum pointed to the Committee To Protect Journalists listing of jailed journalists around the world.
Here in the U.S. we’re so used to the idea that the press is almost a fourth branch of government, free to investigate and report on anything that needs to be investigated I think we lose track of the idea that a free press isn’t a universal right, even here. It’s worth noting that CPJ lists one blogger/journalist jailed and the holding of one by U.S. authorities at the U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay.
I don’t know CPJ, but we don’t have a federal shield law to protect reporters in this country, and we probably should. Wikipedia has an excellent section on Freedom of the Press. Freedom of the press both here and elsewhere is something all writers should be interested in, even if they aren’t doing investigative reporting.
Write well and often,
Subscribe to Abundant Writing News
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Musings From A Freelance Writer
4 opinions for Journalists In Jail
Mike Sieber
Feb 13, 2007 at 11:21 am
I’m all for freedom of the press and freedom of speech and I think we have it pretty good in the US. However, I do favor limits on the press in war time. I don’t want classified information getting out and into the hands of our enemies, which puts all of us at risk.
Anne Wayman
Feb 13, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Of course, Mike, I’m not at all sure our “war on terror” is a legit war… but that’s a whole other discusssion.
I’m also convinced that our government classfies way more info than is needed, war or now.
Carma Dutra
Feb 13, 2007 at 11:57 pm
Freedom is not free as we all are aware of.
There are also two sides to every story.
Yes these are old ciche’ but they are true.
More than the freedom to write is the freedom to think.
Matt Keegan
Feb 14, 2007 at 7:23 am
For the record, the blogger refused to turn over a tape as ordered by a Grand Jury and the imprisoned journalist in Gitmo was arrested by Pakistani officials and turned over to U.S. authorities.
Overall, the U.S. press has a plenty of latitude unlike any other country in the world.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: