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US Plummets On World Press Freedom Ranking

Posted by samzenpus on from the 47th-amendment dept.

Jeremiah Cornelius writes "Reporters Without Borders released its 2011-2012 global Press Freedom Index. The indicators for press freedom in the U.S. are dramatic, with a downward movement from 27th to 47th in the global ranking, from the previous year. Much of this is correlated directly to the arrest and incarceration of American journalists covering the 'Occupy' protest movements in New York and across the country. 'This is especially troubling as we head into an election year which is sure to spark new conflicts between police and press covering rallies, protests and political events.' Only Chile, who dropped from 33 to 80, joined the U.S. in falling over 100% of their previous ranking. Similarly, Chile was downgraded for 'freedom of information violations committed by the security forces during student protests.'"

13 of 427 comments (clear)

  1. quick by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The American government should shut down this website before the news gets out.

  2. Want to know what I REALLY think about this? by Faulkner39 · · Score: 5, Funny

    comment removed

  3. Re:"falling over 100% of their previous ranking" by Jeremiah+Cornelius · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does falling from 27 to 47 in ranking qualify for your test of significant metrics?

    Either way, it's Springtime for Hitler!

    --
    "Flyin' in just a sweet place,
    Never been known to fail..."
  4. Math by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    In other news, US dropped 110% in world math rankings...

  5. Re:"falling over 100% of their previous ranking" by The+Grim+Reefer · · Score: 5, Funny

    Either way, it's Springtime for Hitler!

    Godwin in 13 minutes. Not bad for a Thursday evening.

  6. Re:"falling over 100% of their previous ranking" by Jeremiah+Cornelius · · Score: 5, Funny

    Godwin does NOT apply to Mel Brooks references!

    --
    "Flyin' in just a sweet place,
    Never been known to fail..."
  7. Re:Since when by realityimpaired · · Score: 4, Funny

    no, see... it wasn't a freedom of the press issue, it was a freedom of the reporters issue. Two completely different things! The press is still free to report whatever they want, but the reporters can be imprisoned all the government wants without infringing on that!

    ^.~

  8. Re:Some kind of irony by Dunbal · · Score: 4, Funny

    Got a nice view of the sand there, Mr. Ostrich?

    --
    Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
  9. Re:It's kind of ironic... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    So I see you watch Fox News...

  10. Re:"I've got one that can SEE!" -- They Live by martin-boundary · · Score: 4, Funny

    I would not enjoy sitting in prison.

    Personally, if they gave me my own spacious cave/cell like Hannibal Lecter with free WIFI for reading slashdot and visiting FBI trainees asking about C++ rules for sequence points, I'd consider it.

  11. Re:"falling over 100% of their previous ranking" by MyLongNickName · · Score: 4, Funny

    I did an analysis and found out that the 192 countries average rank was 96.5 the same as last year. We can rest easy knowing that we held steady this year.

    --
    See my journal for slashdot ID's by year. Mine created in 2005. http://slashdot.org/journal/289875/slashdot-ids-by-year
  12. Re:"I've got one that can SEE!" -- They Live by grasshoppa · · Score: 3, Funny

    Get rid of scheduled lunches and other breaks, and you could call it work without a hint of sarcasm.

    --
    Mod me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!
  13. Re:"falling over 100% of their previous ranking" by Ihmhi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yeah, only a Nazi like Hitler would do something like tha-

    Whoops!

    --
    Random Thoughts From A Diseased Mind (Not For Dummies)