Mar 10
Pro-government journalism has always been the world’s safest profession. Anti-government journalism has always been the world’s most dangerous profession. Now there is news that a court in Turkey has sentenced 24 journalists who asked too many questions to prison. Their alleged crime? Supporting ‘terrorism.’ According to the New York Times, Most of the journalists worked …
Dec 13
Startling new report from the Committee to Protect Journalists. As of December 1, 2017, 262 journalists were behind bars around the world in relation to their work, a new record after a historical high of 259 last year. Many of these jailed journalists are in China, Turkey, and Egypt. But the western world is partially …
Aug 08
Every government that ever existed has sought to equate dissent and criticism with terrorism or treason. Untold thousands of humans have been arrested, subjected to mock trials, and/or executed for saying or writing things which their masters in government did not like. Throughout European history, thousands were burned at the stake, hanged or tortured for …
Jul 13
The world’s safest profession: being a pro-government news reporter or observer. The world’s most dangerous profession: being an anti-government news reporter or observer. In recent years the Turkish government has arrested hundreds of critics–including comedians, reporters and actors–for such crimes as terrorism and sedition. Now there is a report that movie director Ali Avci has …
Jun 20
It is an age-old claim: that dissenters and critics of government are traitors guilty of sedition. For months, the government of Turkey has been prosecuting children, reporters and even comedians who criticized the government. Now Turkish prosecutors have arrested three prominent free speech advocates. See here.
Mar 05
Every government that ever existed sought the same powers: ownership of all property, control of all resources, and control of all speech and thought. Governments invariably imprison and kill those who dissent — — frequently spreading messages that the government is at risk of terrorism or violent attack by critical speakers. Now the government of …
Jan 28
Freedom of press is among the most precious of rights. Always in danger, especially from governments pushing “national security” rationales. Now two reporters whose reporting offended Turkish president Erdogan are in danger of being imprisoned for the rest of their lives. See here. Of course, the prosecutors are alleging the journalists “revealed state secrets.” Specifically, …
Oct 28
Every government ultimately comes for all freedom, all property, all money, and to kill all who resist. Only the vitality of the private sector stands in their way. Now two small children in Turkey are being criminally prosecuted for tearing down a poster of their purported government master, Erdogan. During the past two years, artists, …
