The War on Journalism

[saveliberty]

This link has some good quotes:

Opinion | Read Jamal Khashoggi’s columns for The Washington Post

 

[Coyote]

Jamal Khashoggi's Disappearance And What It Means For The Dissident Diaspora

 

[MisterBeale]

The abduction and likely death of Kashoggi. A surprisingly sycophantic attitude from an American President known for cosying to autocrats. It must be “rogue assassins”...or something. Or something.

To abduct a person from a consulate on another nation’s territory...against that nation’s laws, represents a new and much more dangerous assault on journalistic freedom. In fact...I think it is unheard of. And it puts the US in a tricky position. Saudi Arabia is our ally. But a free media and the rights of journalists to report, and to hold their governments responsible has long been an underpinning of American Democracy. We have censored allies before for bad behavior...withheld sales for example.

We are witnessing a demise journalistic freedomof around the world journalists are being threatened, killed and jailed for trying to do their jobs. They depend on bigger more powerful countries to look out for their rights should authoritarian states come down on them.

If we kow tow to the Saudi’s over this, what does that tell other dictators and what does it say to our values?

Do you know why you are being blitzed by the intel-mocking bird media over a guy that isn't even an American citizen?

Because, chances are, this guy was A FECKING SPY. . . .

IOW, any of us that get upset about this and want to chime in? We're probably being duped into being useful idiots. . .

Gollly, the guy wrote for WaPo, which most now assume is the mouthpiece of the CIA and Jeff Bezos. IOW, he's a double agent?

So if the guy had links to the CIA and MI6?

Analysis
'Murder' of Saudi Dissident: Why Turkey Is in No Hurry to Cut Off Ties With Riyadh
The affair of the alleged torture and murder of Saudi journalist Khashoggi has put the West, as well as the Turks and Saudis, in a bind
Khashoggi Murder: Why Turkey is in no hurry to cut off ties with Riyadh
". . .The media outlets in question also highlighted what they called Khashoggi’s ties to the CIA and Britain’s MI6 intelligence service – meaning that if he wasn’t a member of the Muslim Brotherhood (considered an enemy of the government in Cairo), he worked on behalf of Western espionage agencies. It follows that the assassination of a traitor isn’t such a major tragedy.

When that is how the Khashoggi incident is being framed in the Arab media, the fact that the West is determined to get to the bottom of the case might be seen as supporting the claim that he was indeed a Western intelligence agent. But commentators spreading that idea “forget” to mention the close ties that the Egyptian and Saudi intelligence services themselves have with their Western counterparts.. . . "


And hell, with the amount of Israeli infiltration of Turkey's government? Shit, for all we know, it could have been the Mossad?

Face it, we'll never know who is to blame. He was up to his eyeball's in some dangerous shit.


I truly believe that the media is bullshitting the American public, they know things about this guy that they are not telling.

Lots of powerful folks around the world know lots of things about him, and we plebes and our stupid emotions are being toyed with, because some powerful people were pissed by this hit.

Oh fucking well. That is Statecraft and Realpolitik.

Don't kid yourself that this was some "innocent journalist," though. He certainly wasn't.


Don't think you have all the information to judge what happened from what they are telling you. You will never have enough information to judge. You will only have enough information to think the thoughts and feel the way they want you to.

 

[eagle1462010]

Why is this our problem................He was not an American and they are allegations.........

It happened in Turkey...........why don't they prosecute whomever did it.............

It is in Europe's back yard..........why don't they handle it..........

Why is a Murder of a Saudi National in Turkey my problem............find........prosecute .............and EXECUTE those who did this........Under Turkish law.

 

[MisterBeale]

Jamal Khashoggi's Disappearance And What It Means For The Dissident Diaspora

STATE PROPAGANDA

 

[Coyote]

If only y'all had been as shook up about the dead AMERICANS in Benghazi.

That was horrific and I don’t know who did not think so. All embassy attacks are...though most received far less attention. What does this have to do with journalistic freedom though?

 

[saveliberty]

Jamal Khashoggi's Disappearance And What It Means For The Dissident Diaspora

The reason I quoted some of his comments was the female driving thing DID change. What he wanted was FASTER change. People do not change quickly, it was unrealistic, much like his trip to the embassy.

 

[Tehon]

Trump has had several lame comments on this subject to be sure. On the other hand, ruining the economy over one person seems a pretty high price to pay. I find most journalists, are not. They are socialists with a mission. It would be great if we had journalists.

I think that the claim it would ruin the economy is a straw man. The Saudi’s by 99.9% of their weapons systems from us. These are complex proprietary systems. Russian systems don’t talk to Chinese systems don’t talk to American systems etc. The Saudi’s have invested billions into our systems, they are not going to start from scratch with another supplier.

The other question is...are you proposing we give Carter Blanche to them? They can do whatever they want in the territory of another ally, Turkey? When do we take a stand?

Does journalistic freedom mean anything to you? I don’t like all journalists and reporting, but where do you draw the line? Authoritarianism vs a free media. And a free media is the only check on governments.

I think it is up to Turkey to take care of problems in Turkey. The Saudis are under no pressure to buy anything this year or next. That is billions lost. Also there is this thing called oil....

So we don’t stand for anything?

No, we don't.

 

[Coyote]

Why is this our problem................He was not an American and they are allegations.........

It happened in Turkey...........why don't they prosecute whomever did it.............

It is in Europe's back yard..........why don't they handle it..........

Why is a Murder of a Saudi National in Turkey my problem............find........prosecute .............and EXECUTE those who did this........Under Turkish law.

Because I think deliberately targeting journalists and not saying or doing anything sends a bad message.

 

[caddo kid]

The abduction and likely death of Kashoggi. A surprisingly sycophantic attitude from an American President known for cosying to autocrats. It must be “rogue assassins”...or something. Or something.

To abduct a person from a consulate on another nation’s territory...against that nation’s laws, represents a new and much more dangerous assault on journalistic freedom. In fact...I think it is unheard of. And it puts the US in a tricky position. Saudi Arabia is our ally. But a free media and the rights of journalists to report, and to hold their governments responsible has long been an underpinning of American Democracy. We have censored allies before for bad behavior...withheld sales for example.

We are witnessing a demise journalistic freedomof around the world journalists are being threatened, killed and jailed for trying to do their jobs. They depend on bigger more powerful countries to look out for their rights should authoritarian states come down on them.

If we kow tow to the Saudi’s over this, what does that tell other dictators and what does it say to our values?

Republicans do NOT care about the 'free press'

Republicans have demonstrated the only thing they care about is MONEY.

Republicans have no humanity, no morality, and no soul.

Republicans can all go to Hell AFAIC.

 

[Coyote]

Jamal Khashoggi's Disappearance And What It Means For The Dissident Diaspora

The reason I quoted some of his comments was the female driving thing DID change. What he wanted was FASTER change. People do not change quickly, it was unrealistic, much like his trip to the embassy.

Agree...but why should he be killed for that?

 

[eagle1462010]

Why is this our problem................He was not an American and they are allegations.........

It happened in Turkey...........why don't they prosecute whomever did it.............

It is in Europe's back yard..........why don't they handle it..........

Why is a Murder of a Saudi National in Turkey my problem............find........prosecute .............and EXECUTE those who did this........Under Turkish law.

Because I think deliberately targeting journalists A FPS not saying or doing anything sends a bad message.

Murdering someone makes a bad message...........LOL

 

[Coyote]

The abduction and likely death of Kashoggi. A surprisingly sycophantic attitude from an American President known for cosying to autocrats. It must be “rogue assassins”...or something. Or something.

To abduct a person from a consulate on another nation’s territory...against that nation’s laws, represents a new and much more dangerous assault on journalistic freedom. In fact...I think it is unheard of. And it puts the US in a tricky position. Saudi Arabia is our ally. But a free media and the rights of journalists to report, and to hold their governments responsible has long been an underpinning of American Democracy. We have censored allies before for bad behavior...withheld sales for example.

We are witnessing a demise journalistic freedomof around the world journalists are being threatened, killed and jailed for trying to do their jobs. They depend on bigger more powerful countries to look out for their rights should authoritarian states come down on them.

If we kow tow to the Saudi’s over this, what does that tell other dictators and what does it say to our values?

Republicans do NOT care about the 'free press'

Republicans have demonstrated the only thing they care about is MONEY.

Republicans have no humanity, no morality, and no soul.

Republicans can all go to Hell AFAIC.

This isn’t about Republicans.

 

[Tehon]

The whole "War on Journalism" is a farce. The Saudis had a beef with this particular writer, hardly an all out assault on all journalists.

15 Saudi Reporters Arrested In Past Year: Report

 

[saveliberty]

Republicans do NOT care about the 'free press'

Republicans have demonstrated the only thing they care about is MONEY.

Republicans have no humanity, no morality, and no soul.

Republicans can all go to Hell AFAIC.

We care about a responsible press.

That MONEY you disdain, it provides entitlements among other things.

Where is your humanity, morality and soul on saying, "Republicans can all go to Hell AFAIC?

You are already in Hell, why would I visit you?

 

[saveliberty]

The abduction and likely death of Kashoggi. A surprisingly sycophantic attitude from an American President known for cosying to autocrats. It must be “rogue assassins”...or something. Or something.

To abduct a person from a consulate on another nation’s territory...against that nation’s laws, represents a new and much more dangerous assault on journalistic freedom. In fact...I think it is unheard of. And it puts the US in a tricky position. Saudi Arabia is our ally. But a free media and the rights of journalists to report, and to hold their governments responsible has long been an underpinning of American Democracy. We have censored allies before for bad behavior...withheld sales for example.

We are witnessing a demise journalistic freedomof around the world journalists are being threatened, killed and jailed for trying to do their jobs. They depend on bigger more powerful countries to look out for their rights should authoritarian states come down on them.

If we kow tow to the Saudi’s over this, what does that tell other dictators and what does it say to our values?

Republicans do NOT care about the 'free press'

Republicans have demonstrated the only thing they care about is MONEY.

Republicans have no humanity, no morality, and no soul.

Republicans can all go to Hell AFAIC.

This isn’t about Republicans.

Hey, he was on a roll....Wonder if he's a journalist?

 

[MisterBeale]

The Washington Post once brought down a republican president and there is no doubt that the Post has the resources to dig up dirt on any republican candidate in the Country in a heartbeat. Yet the Washington Post is strangely silent and apparently helpless or unwilling to get involved in the investigation of (apparently) the murder of one of their own. I smell a rat.

Very astute nose you have.

 

[Coyote]

Hatred of Journalism threatens democracies.

RSF Index 2018: Hatred of journalism threatens democracies

The climate of hatred is steadily more visible in the Index, which evaluates the level of press freedom in 180 countries each year. Hostility towards the media from political leaders is no longer limited to authoritarian countries such as Turkey (down two at 157th) and Egypt (161st), where “media-phobia” is now so pronounced that journalists are routinely accused of terrorism and all those who don’t offer loyalty are arbitrarily imprisoned.

More and more democratically-elected leaders no longer see the media as part of democracy’s essential underpinning, but as an adversary to which they openly display their aversion. The United States, the country of the First Amendment, has fallen again in the Index under Donald Trump, this time two places to 45th. A media-bashing enthusiast, Trump has referred to reporters “enemies of the people,” the term once used by Joseph Stalin.

The line separating verbal violence from physical violence is dissolving. In the Philippines (down six at 133rd), President Rodrigo Duterte not only constantly insults reporters but has also warned them that they “are not exempted from assassination.” In India (down two at 138th), hate speech targeting journalists is shared and amplified on social networks, often by troll armies in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pay. In each of these countries, at least four journalists were gunned down in cold blood in the space of a year.


Verbal violence from politicians against the media is also on the rise in Europe, although it is the region that respects press freedom most. In the Czech Republic (down 11 at 34th), President Milos Zeman turned up at a press conference with a fake Kalashnikov inscribed with the words “for journalists.” In Slovakia, (down 10 at 27th), then Prime Minister Robert Fico called journalists “filthy anti-Slovak prostitutes” and “idiotic hyenas.” A Slovak reporter, Ján Kuciak, was shot dead in his home in February 2018, just four months after another European journalist, Daphne Caruana Galizia, was killed by a targeted car-bombing in Malta (down 18 at 65th).

The unleashing of hatred towards journalists is one of the worst threats to democracies,” RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said. “Political leaders who fuel loathing for reporters bear heavy responsibility because they undermine the concept of public debate based on facts instead of propaganda. To dispute the legitimacy of journalism today is to play with extremely dangerous political fire.”

 

[saveliberty]

The whole "War on Journalism" is a farce. The Saudis had a beef with this particular writer, hardly an all out assault on all journalists.

15 Saudi Reporters Arrested In Past Year: Report

Wow Saudi Arabia has only 15 journalists, who knew?

 

[saveliberty]

Hatred of Journalism threatens democracies.

RSF Index 2018: Hatred of journalism threatens democracies

The climate of hatred is steadily more visible in the Index, which evaluates the level of press freedom in 180 countries each year. Hostility towards the media from political leaders is no longer limited to authoritarian countries such as Turkey (down two at 157th) and Egypt (161st), where “media-phobia” is now so pronounced that journalists are routinely accused of terrorism and all those who don’t offer loyalty are arbitrarily imprisoned.

More and more democratically-elected leaders no longer see the media as part of democracy’s essential underpinning, but as an adversary to which they openly display their aversion. The United States, the country of the First Amendment, has fallen again in the Index under Donald Trump, this time two places to 45th. A media-bashing enthusiast, Trump has referred to reporters “enemies of the people,” the term once used by Joseph Stalin.

The line separating verbal violence from physical violence is dissolving. In the Philippines (down six at 133rd), President Rodrigo Duterte not only constantly insults reporters but has also warned them that they “are not exempted from assassination.” In India (down two at 138th), hate speech targeting journalists is shared and amplified on social networks, often by troll armies in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pay. In each of these countries, at least four journalists were gunned down in cold blood in the space of a year.


Verbal violence from politicians against the media is also on the rise in Europe, although it is the region that respects press freedom most. In the Czech Republic (down 11 at 34th), President Milos Zeman turned up at a press conference with a fake Kalashnikov inscribed with the words “for journalists.” In Slovakia, (down 10 at 27th), then Prime Minister Robert Fico called journalists “filthy anti-Slovak prostitutes” and “idiotic hyenas.” A Slovak reporter, Ján Kuciak, was shot dead in his home in February 2018, just four months after another European journalist, Daphne Caruana Galizia, was killed by a targeted car-bombing in Malta (down 18 at 65th).

The unleashing of hatred towards journalists is one of the worst threats to democracies,” RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said. “Political leaders who fuel loathing for reporters bear heavy responsibility because they undermine the concept of public debate based on facts instead of propaganda. To dispute the legitimacy of journalism today is to play with extremely dangerous political fire.”

Journalists supporting the attacks on political leaders isn't exactly helping democracy either.