Global Media Freedom Update: Russia Now, the USA Sooner than Later? "Despite the attempts to block us, to arrest us. The site must live."
Originally posted at Words of Power.
While opposition viewpoints are rarely presented in Russian newspapers these days (and even less frequently on television), the Internet has remained a place where Russians of all ideological stripes are able to express themselves. (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
But following the mysterious death of Web journalist Magomed Yevloyev and the prosecution of disaffected bloggers, there are fears that authorities are trying to squeeze shut that remaining outlet for freewheeling debate. ... "Our main goal is that site must live, despite everything. Despite the attempts to block us, to arrest us. The site must live." Alastair Gee, Russia's Dissident Bloggers Fear for Their Lives, The gunshot death of a Web journalist heightens alarm about efforts to muzzle dissent on the Internet, US News and World Report, 9-30-08
Global Media Freedom Update: Russia Now, the USA Sooner than Later? "Despite the attempts to block us, to arrest us. The site must live."
By Richard Power
The murder of Russian citizen journalist Magomed Yevloyev is a very important story.
It carries two chilling warnings.
The first warning concerns the serious turn for the worst in post-Soviet Russia.
There is a lot going bad inside of Russia, and the fallout is going to impact the USA and the Western Alliance in dangerous and unpredictable ways; especially, if the heavy-handed and the war-mongering retain power in Beltwayistan.
The second warning concerns the serious turn for the worst in post-9/11 USA.
The US mainstream news media failed us on the election theft crisis of 2000, the aftermath of 9/11, the ramp-up to the invasion and occupation of Iraq, the election theft crisis of 2004, the ginned-up debate about Global Warming, and the many withering attacks on the US Constitution, the Geneva Accords and other vital documents that define who we are and what we stand for as nation.
It is the progressive blogosphere (amplified in recent years with the rise of progressive talk radio) that has reminded us of who we are and awakened us to the truth of our tragic circumstances.
Without the bloggers you would not know -- or would have already forgotten -- about what happened to Don Siegelmen, Sibel Edmonds and David Iglesias.
Without the bloggers you would not know who Stephen Spoonamore is and why the story he tells is so desperately important to our future.
How far do you think we are from US citizen journalists meeting the same fate as Magomed Yevloyev?
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