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Fearing Government Surveillance, US Journalists Are Self-Censoring

Posted by Soulskill on from the except-the-ones-you-wish-would-self-censor dept.

binarstu writes "Suzanne Nossel, writing for CNN, reports that 'a survey of American writers done in October revealed that nearly one in four has self-censored for fear of government surveillance. They fessed up to curbing their research, not accepting certain assignments, even not discussing certain topics on the phone or via e-mail for fear of being targeted. The subjects they are avoiding are no surprise — mostly matters to do with the Middle East, the military and terrorism.' Yet ordinary Americans, for the most part, seem not to care: 'Surveillance so intrusive it is putting certain subjects out of bounds would seem like cause for alarm in a country that prides itself as the world's most free. Americans have long protested the persecution and constraints on journalists and writers living under repressive regimes abroad, yet many seem ready to accept these new encroachments on their freedom at home.'"

4 of 376 comments (clear)

  1. Suggested Slashdot Poll by cervesaebraciator · · Score: 5, Funny
    Have you ever self-censored a comment on Slashdot due to fear of government surveillance:

    1) Yes. I wanted to share my improved tin foil hat design but fear that it might be compromised if it goes public.

    2) No. I have nothing to hide and I'm quite certain that the shadowy government agencies spying on me are sufficiently restrained by secret and democratically unaccountable courts. They all have my best interests in mind.

    3) I choose to self-censor this response.

    1. Re:Suggested Slashdot Poll by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      4) No. If you're not on at least one secret watch-list, you're not living.

  2. [DISPLAY OF GRATITUDE] by doctor+woot · · Score: 5, Funny

    Man, this is some [GOOD NEWS]. I hope congress quits [WORKING TOO HARD FOR THEIR OWN GOOD], pulls their [HARD WORK AND COURAGE] out of their own [LOVE FOR THEIR COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE] and finally [TAKES THAT PAID VACATION THEY ALL WELL DESERVE].

  3. Re:Come to the UK and learn about real journalism by Spy+Handler · · Score: 4, Funny

    Maybe it's time for you freedom-loving Brits to rise up and overthrow the tyranny of American imperialism.