U.S. Mission to the European Union’s Post

As you hear or read news, do you swallow all things said trustingly? Do you search for substantiation of claims and statements made. In the era of Edward R. Murrow, journalists risked much to search for and deliver facts. That standard is dead. If it lived, the viewer and audience would follow a journalist's queries and investigation of assertions. Congressman Adam Schiff wouldn't have been invited to liberal cable networks repeatedly to look into the camera, at the viewer, and promise more evidence of Russian collusion existed- when he knew the following. There had been zero collusion, there would be no more. Compulsive narrative more like it would have been the result of "digging". In this Presidential election, two "known" leaders compete. If I was a journalist worthy of the title, I would ask, in what way was #45 a dictator? How does opening border walls benefit the citizens of our country? How does the U.S. enable Iran, the state sponsor of terrorism, while tying Ally Israel's hands and feet in THEIR war for THEIR SURVIVAL? How does "democracy" differ from "our democracy", as we live the OUR one during 46's term? It's not really his term. It's only since 6/27 the media "decided" by the powers that be- who we can't identify- that it's time to stop hiding and pretending that #46 is ill and unable to lead. But that has been the fact, while Mrs. 46 and Obama staffers continue #44's agendas. Journalists worth their salt would be telling you this and you would trust them. Today, Maddow, Morning Joe, Network news, Psaki, are part of the scripted braid (lockstep) of the Progressive approach to their idea (you hear that word much) of what democracy should be! Absent journalists, find the whistleblowers and do your own thinking instead of swallowing the pablum by the shovel.

The latest annual World Press Freedom Index produced by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is clear: Press freedom around the world is being threatened by the very people who should be its guarantors – political authorities. The report also points out that press freedom in several countries is weakened by ongoing conflicts worldwide. During the upcoming World Expression Forum, we will, among other things, discuss how to ensure freedom of expression and press freedom in connection with the Israel-Gaza crisis. Join us in Lillehammer on May 27-28. #pressfreedom #freedomofexpression #WEXFO2024

Protecting the Pillars of Democracy: A Call for Press Freedom in a world where the freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy, recent developments concerning the potential ban on Al Jazeera's broadcasts in Israel have raised significant concerns. The decision, as stated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to enact a ban leveraging newly granted legislative authority, represents a chilling escalation in the conflict between the government and the media.Freedom of the press is not just a right but a necessity for the sustenance of democracy, enabling informed public discourse and holding powers accountable. The allegations against Al Jazeera journalists, labeled as operatives and targeted in military actions, have brought to light the extreme risks faced by journalists reporting from conflict zones. It is paramount that the international community recognizes the importance of safeguarding journalists, who play a critical role in conveying truths from the most perilous environments. The proposed legislation, which would enable the cessation of broadcasts and potentially close the offices of foreign media outlets in Israel, signals a move towards silencing dissenting voices and controlling the narrative. Such actions not only undermine the essence of democratic values but also set a dangerous precedent for press freedom globally. In solidarity with journalists and media outlets worldwide, we must advocate for policies that protect the freedom of the press and oppose measures that threaten this fundamental right. It is through the unencumbered operation of a free press that societies can foster transparency, accountability, and an informed citizenry. Let us stand together in support of #AlJazeera and all journalists who face risks in their pursuit of truth. The right to report without fear of retaliation is essential to the health of our global democracy. #PressFreedom #JournalismWithoutBorders #DemocracyInAction @AjEnlish

KEY POINTS: (1) Republican voters trust Trump for Ukraine information twice as much as they trust on-ground reporters; (2) Trump and the GOP propagate pro-Russia propaganda, and oppose further aid to Ukraine — a democracy. KEY EXCERPT: Republicans say they trust former President Trump for information on the Ukraine-Russia conflict more than they do any other news or government source … 79 % of Republicans say they trust Trump for information on the Ukraine-Russia conflict — more than double the 33% of Republicans who say they trust journalists in the war zone for information. …The poll comes amid concerns about the spread of Russian propaganda in mainstream political discourse. Two top Republican members of the House recently expressed concern about the reach of pro-Russia talking points. “Russian propaganda has made its way into the United States, unfortunately, and it’s infected a good chunk of my party’s base,” House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said recently.

🗞 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟑 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐚𝐲 Today, the state of press freedom in our country is marked by the incarceration of Vladimir Kara-Murza and Evan Gershkovich, the persecution of independent journalists remaining in Russia and those collaborating with foreign media, and the perpetually updated "media-foreign agents" lists. On this day, as on any other, Transparency International Russia calls on the Russian authorities to cease persecuting journalists for their professional activities. In the Press Freedom Index released today by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Russia ranked 162nd (compared to 164th last year) out of 180. Despite losing points across all five indicators, Russia has moved up in the ranking, indicating a global deterioration in the situation of freedom of speech. A particularly notable decline is observed in the freedom of journalism from political interference, where the global average score decreased by 7.6 points. We believe that 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐬 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲. Independent media play a crucial role in ensuring transparency and accountability in governance. Press freedom is the foundation of democracy and the existence of a fair, open, and peaceful country. We urge the global community to support Russian independent media and hold accountable all those involved in restricting freedom of speech in Russia.

World Press Freedom Day!!!! In 2024, the World Press Freedom Index from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) shows that press freedom is under threat from those who should be its guarantors – political authorities. #WorldPressFreedomDay #RSFIndex

The re-election of Donald Trump signals an unprecedented need for the US 🇺🇸 press to exercise its First Amendment right to hold power to account, and expose domestic corruption and disinformation over the next four years. But, simultaneously, the President-elect’s second term in office promises to deliver historic threats to U.S. #pressfreedom - directly from the Oval Office. Journalists in the US 🇺🇸 – a country long at the forefront of global press freedom advocacy – now find themselves in an upside down world facing threats more familiar to their colleagues in places like the Philippines, Hungary and Venezuela. And it is from journalists in such countries that the American press must now learn how to defend press freedom and fight for facts if they are to help check power in the context of creeping authoritarianism. My latest, with Professor Mel Bunce & Kaylee Williams for The Conversation U.S. https://lnkd.in/e5fHz-3x

🗣️ Today, we commemorate World Press Freedom Day. However, there is little cause for celebration as media freedoms across Europe face continuous and severe threats. Just to name few of them: · Journalists encounter online harm and threats to their lives on a daily basis. · Cases of illegitimate surveillance, government restrictions, and SLAPP suits further exacerbate the situation. · Additionally, public service broadcasting is under attack from governments, politicians, and various interest groups, jeopardizing its fundamental mission of delivering high-quality journalism to the public. · Furthermore, local, regional, and hyperlocal media outlets are grappling with existential challenges, leading to the emergence of news deserts across the continent. 🌐 The introduction of the Media Freedom Act by the European Union is a welcome development. It serves as a vital step towards establishing a legal framework to safeguard media freedom. We view it as a starting point for constructive dialogue and as a tool to compel governments to prioritize the protection of media freedoms. 📖 Read more in "The Guardian" article: https://ej.uz/3yt2

📢 The Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) and the undersigned organisations renew their urgent call to the United Nations and its Member States to ensure robust commitments to access to information, #mediafreedom, and public-interest #journalism as necessary preconditions for peace and development as they negotiate the final text of the Pact for the Future in advance of the #SummitoftheFuture. 🔗 Read the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/dbMUaDmx Endorse and share the statement and join us in advocating for a future where media freedom is safeguarded, journalists are protected, and access to information is upheld as a fundamental right. ✍ Sign the statement here: https://lnkd.in/dNMxp6g9