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The most progressive? Really? Yes, we're better than China, but pretty far from the leader. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Press_Freedom_Index http://en.wikiped

The most progressive? Really? Yes, we're better than China, but pretty far from the leader. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Press_Freedom_Index http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Press_Freedom_Index The U.S. is the most important nation in terms of it's historical importance to freedom in the world, but it's been decades since it's been considered an example to emulate, in terms of either the electoral and political process, or rule of law based in natural rights.

angersock 13y ago
A red herring, my friend. From your link: "The questionnaire asks questions about pluralism, media independence, environment and self-censorship, legislative framework, transparency, and infrastructure. The questionnaire takes account of the legal framework for the media (including penalties for press offences, the existence of a state monopoly for certain kinds of media and how the media are regulated) and the level of independence of the public media. It also reflects violations of the free flow of information on the Internet. Violence against journalists, netizens, and media assistants, including abuses attributable to the state, armed militias, clandestine organizations, and pressure groups, are monitored by RSF staff during the year and are also part of the final score." So, a whole bunch of other things are rolled into that--least of which is some ill-defined internet component. I know that it is very popular to bash on the US--often with very good reason!--for its press. Fact is, we did this to ourselves. Fact is, we stopped paying for newspapers that did good reporting. Fact is, we promoted and supported the rise of media moguls and conglomerates that helped stifle solid journalism. That was us, not some secret government cabal. The US is pretty hands-off with regards to the 'net, especially with regards to free speech that others may find offensive: contrast us with the way many European nations seem to feel about hate speech or libel. The only things I'd actively hold that we do incorrectly about the 'net is the ICE domain seizures and massive data-mining of communications. Then again, we again see that the private sector is more than happy to vacuum up personal details. Thanks Google! Thanks Facebook! Thanks marketing firms! Yet again, we do the worst of this to ourselves.
- irishcoffee 13y ago
  It boggles my mind how people don't understand the point you're making here.

angersock 13y ago

A red herring, my friend. From your link: "The questionnaire asks questions about pluralism, media independence, environment and self-censorship, legislative framework, transparency, and infrastructure. The questionnaire takes account of the legal framework for the media (including penalties for press offences, the existence of a state monopoly for certain kinds of media and how the media are regulated) and the level of independence of the public media. It also reflects violations of the free flow of information on the Internet. Violence against journalists, netizens, and media assistants, including abuses attributable to the state, armed militias, clandestine organizations, and pressure groups, are monitored by RSF staff during the year and are also part of the final score." So, a whole bunch of other things are rolled into that--least of which is some ill-defined internet component. I know that it is very popular to bash on the US--often with very good reason!--for its press. Fact is, we did this to ourselves. Fact is, we stopped paying for newspapers that did good reporting. Fact is, we promoted and supported the rise of media moguls and conglomerates that helped stifle solid journalism. That was us, not some secret government cabal. The US is pretty hands-off with regards to the 'net, especially with regards to free speech that others may find offensive: contrast us with the way many European nations seem to feel about hate speech or libel. The only things I'd actively hold that we do incorrectly about the 'net is the ICE domain seizures and massive data-mining of communications. Then again, we again see that the private sector is more than happy to vacuum up personal details. Thanks Google! Thanks Facebook! Thanks marketing firms! Yet again, we do the worst of this to ourselves.

irishcoffee 13y ago
It boggles my mind how people don't understand the point you're making here.