 |
The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that 251 journalists from around the globe were in jail because of their work as of Dec. 1.
The bulk (70 percent) of the imprisoned journalists face anti-state charges such as belonging to or abetting terrorist groups.
Turkey, China and Egypt are the world’s top media gulags, accounting for more than half of those in prison, according to the report released Dec. 12.
CPJ found that the number of media people jailed on charges of “false news” rose sharply from nine two years ago to 28 this year. Let's give it up for Donald Trump!
The organization said: “The increase comes amid heightened global rhetoric about ‘fake news,’ of which US president Donald Trump is the leading voice.”
CPJ took note of a fresh wave of repression in Saudi Arabia that led to a crackdown on press freedom. Sixteen journalists, including four females who wrote about women's rights in the Kingdom, including the lifting of the ban on driving, were behind bars on Dec. 1.
Saudi Arabia has faced US Congressional criticism in the aftermath of the torture, murder and dismemberment of dissident and Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul on Oct. 2.
Anti-press Trump though, gave the Saudis a free ride over the Khashoggi atrocity. Rather than condemn Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom US intelligence agencies said ordered the Khashoggi murder, Trump shamefully passed.
“Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t," wimped out Trump on Nov. 27. Shamefully, he put the false promise of billions of dollars in defense contracts from the Saudis ahead of this country’s moral standing in the world.
The tweeter-in-chief’s unwillingness to criticize Crown Prince Mohammed, Saudi Arabia’s defacto ruler, sends a powerful signal to authoritarians and despots throughout the world: the media are fair game.
Trump today cancelled the annual White House Christmas party for the media.
It’s just as well.
Attending a party hosted by a guy who routinely denigrates the press as the “enemy of the people,” would have been the height of hypocrisy.
Let's wish journalists throughout the world a happy and safe New Year.
Republican tough guys Josh Hawley and Tom Cotton want Biden to send the National Guard to Columbia University to put an end to student protests... Bernie blasts Bibi for insulting America's intelligence by equating criticism of Israel's government with antisemitism... German court convicts former financial PR exec who claims he wasn't aware that trading on tips is illegal. 
Southern governors claim they know what's best for their working class, and it's not pay raises... A Ukrainian human rights group played a key role in convincing House Speaker Mike Johnson to hold a vote to send arms to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan... Trump Media & Technology Group blames short-selling and not lousy outlook for its stock slump.
The techniques deployed by OJ Simpson's defense team in the 'trial of the century' served as a harbinger for those used by Donald Trump... People worry about the politicization of medical science just as much as they fret about another pandemic, according to Edelman Trust Barometer... Book bans aren't restricted to red states as deep blue Illinois, Connecticut and Maryland challenged at least 100 titles in 2023.
The NBA, which promotes legalized gambling 24/7, seems more than hypocritical for banning player for placing bets... Diocese of Brooklyn promises to issue press release the next time one of its priests is charged with sexual abuse... Truth Social aspires to be one of Donald Trump's iconic American brands, just like Trump University or Trump Steaks or Trump Ice Cubes.
Publicis Groupe CEO Arthur Sadoun puts competition on notice... Macy's throws in the towel as it appoints two directors nominated by its unwanted suitor... The Profile in Wimpery Award goes to the Ford Presidential Foundation for stiffing American hero and former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney.
Have a comment? Send it to 
No comments have been submitted for this story yet.