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Trump Admin No Longer Protecting Journalists Overseas

jpn

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This was reported in September, but I just learned about it. I find it amazing.

During an address at Brown University, AG Sulzberger, the NYT publisher, related what happened when a Times journalist was endangered by the Egyptian government.

Two years ago, the Times received a call from a U.S. government official warning the newspaper’s brass of the imminent arrest of a NY Times reporter based in Egypt. His name is Declan Walsh.

“Though the news was alarming, the call was actually fairly standard. Over the years we’ve received countless such warnings from American diplomats, military leaders and national security officials. But this particular call took a surprising and distressing turn. We learned the official was passing along this warning without the knowledge or permission of the Trump Administration.

“Rather than trying to stop the Egyptian government or assist the reporter, the official believed the Trump Administration intended to sit on the information and let the arrest be carried out. The official feared being punished for even alerting us to the danger.”

Times top leaders felt they were unable to count on their own government to prevent the arrest or help free the reporter if he was imprisoned. So they turned to Walsh’s native country, Ireland, for aid.

“Within an hour, Irish diplomats traveled to (Walsh’s) house and safely escorted him to the airport before Egyptian forces could detain him,” said Sulzberger.

Trump’s administration has “retreated from our country’s historical role as a defender of the free press. Seeing that, other countries are targeting journalists with a growing sense of impunity,” said Sulzberger.

You can see his address at this link.

I believe a free press is an essential ingredient in any functioning democracy. Attacking it is the work of despots.

p.s. 18 months later another NYT reporter arrived in Egypt. He was detained and deported in apparent retaliation for exposing information that was embarrassing to the Egyptian government. When the NYT protested the move, a senior official at the US embassy in Cairo said, "what did you expect would happen? His reporting made the government look bad."
 
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This was reported in September, but I just learned about it. I find it amazing.

During an address at Brown University, AG Sulzberger, the NYT publisher, related what happened when a Times journalist was endangered by the Egyptian government.



You can see his address at this link.

I believe a free press is an essential ingredient in any functioning democracy. Attacking it is the work of despots.

p.s. 18 months later another NYT reporter arrived in Egypt. He was detained and deported in apparent retaliation for exposing information that was embarrassing to the Egyptian government. When the NYT protested the move, a senior official at the US embassy in Cairo said, "what did you expect would happen? His reporting made the government look bad."

It IS NOT the job of the United States government to protect reporters overseas. It IS the job the United States government to preserve the freedom of the press here in the US.
 
It IS NOT the job of the United States government to protect reporters overseas. It IS the job the United States government to preserve the freedom of the press here in the US.

Cowardly nationalist garbage. All men are created equal. All men have rights to life, expression and self defense. All men should enjoy the protections afforded in our Constitution. That's called patriotism and it's nothing like nationalism.

Patriotism and nationalism, in the case of the US, are mutually exclusive. The former inclusive and the latter exclusive. Being exclusive, nationalists cannot honestly claim the ideals of this nation.
 
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Oh, I'm sorry. Did I just crush nationalism like a ****ing bug? Perhaps a nazi would like to scrape it off.
 
It IS NOT the job of the United States government to protect reporters overseas. It IS the job the United States government to preserve the freedom of the press here in the US.

It sounds like you're saying all we should care about is domestic news. Without foreign correspondents, how are supposed to know what's going on in the world? How would we know that the leader of Egypt, who our president supports, is a corrupt dictator? How do we, as citizens, evaluate our foreign policy if we don't know what's going on?
 
It sounds like you're saying all we should care about is domestic news. Without foreign correspondents, how are supposed to know what's going on in the world? How would we know that the leader of Egypt, who our president supports, is a corrupt dictator? How do we, as citizens, evaluate our foreign policy if we don't know what's going on?

Trump News
 
Cowardly nationalist garbage. All men are created equal. All men have rights to life, expression and self defense. All men should enjoy the protections afforded in our Constitution. That's called patriotism and it's nothing like nationalism.
I agree in principle, but we can't make every other country follow our example. It sounds like you're advocating interventionism worldwide against any government that doesn't share our first amendment value.
 
I agree in principle, but we can't make every other country follow our example. It sounds like you're advocating interventionism worldwide against any government that doesn't share our first amendment value.

I'm talking cowboy, Ollie North, yee-haw ****ing diplomacy.
 
I'm talking cowboy, Ollie North, yee-haw ****ing diplomacy.
I don't know how to take this. Is it serious? I don't know you so I don't know your brand of sarcasm, or if this fits within it. You want us to invade China because they don't respect the free speech rights of their journalists? Honestly, I can't tell.
 
I agree in principle, but we can't make every other country follow our example. It sounds like you're advocating interventionism worldwide against any government that doesn't share our first amendment value.
Seems fair enough that we don't imprison foreign journalists and ask that the same courtesy be extended to ours abroad or we will rain hellfire on them.

Freedom of the press must be defended globally otherwise, what's the point?

[emoji328]
 
I don't know how to take this. Is it serious? I don't know you so I don't know your brand of sarcasm, or if this fits within it. You want us to invade China because they don't respect the free speech rights of their journalists? Honestly, I can't tell.

China, like Saudi, has agreed to drag-feet into the 20th century. They're modernizing slowly but methodically, including social issues. It'll take a couple generations or three, but each will eventually join the socially developed world. There's no need to create geopolitical problems for either regime.

See, we gotta have priorities. We can't advance the world to developed social status overnight. The diplomatic toolbox contains quite the variety. Sometimes diplomacy, sometimes economic engagement, sometimes international efforts. There are a million ways to push development wheel-barrels. Sometimes, however, problems occur. One cannot push a wheel-barrel with no wheel. When a wheel-barrel needs a wheel, that's regime change.
 
Other nations are "sovereign."

We cannot compel them to obey OUR ideals and laws in THEIR nations. Any more than they could compel US in OUR nation.

Oh sure, we can take "action." We can impose sanctions, expel diplomats, try all sorts of economic "pressures."

These things typically work, but then those nations simply try to find other sources of aid, trade, etc.. They would be welcomed by our other declared enemies and competitors.

So while I support the ideal of free press outside our nation, what exactly do you people think we are supposed to do to enforce OUR beliefs on THEIR countries?
 
Seems fair enough that we don't imprison foreign journalists and ask that the same courtesy be extended to ours abroad or we will rain hellfire on them.

Freedom of the press must be defended globally otherwise, what's the point?

[emoji328]

Is this only applicable to journalism? If it is, why not other rights? If it isn't, who do you plan to bomb first? It's a long list. And it includes some close allies.
 
Is this only applicable to journalism? If it is, why not other rights? If it isn't, who do you plan to bomb first? It's a long list. And it includes some close allies.
Sure, why not. Don't kidnap US citizens, and we don't bomb you or kidnap yours. Seems like a fair trade.

[emoji328]
 
Other nations are "sovereign."

We cannot compel them to obey OUR ideals and laws in THEIR nations. Any more than they could compel US in OUR nation.

Oh sure, we can take "action." We can impose sanctions, expel diplomats, try all sorts of economic "pressures."

These things typically work, but then those nations simply try to find other sources of aid, trade, etc.. They would be welcomed by our other declared enemies and competitors.

So while I support the ideal of free press outside our nation, what exactly do you people think we are supposed to do to enforce OUR beliefs on THEIR countries?
Bomb anyone who tries to hurt our own for trying to tell us what's going on abroad.

Seems reasonable. Not the time to get soft on abusers of human rights.

Me say war.



[emoji328]
 
Other nations are "sovereign."

We cannot compel them to obey OUR ideals and laws in THEIR nations. Any more than they could compel US in OUR nation.

Oh sure, we can take "action." We can impose sanctions, expel diplomats, try all sorts of economic "pressures."

These things typically work, but then those nations simply try to find other sources of aid, trade, etc.. They would be welcomed by our other declared enemies and competitors.

So while I support the ideal of free press outside our nation, what exactly do you people think we are supposed to do to enforce OUR beliefs on THEIR countries?

There's a difference between a sovereign nation and a sovereign regime. A nation is the people. A regime is not representation. We are under no obligation whatsoever to respect the sovereignty of a regime. The existence of a regime means - by definition - the nation, the people, are not sovereign.

Egypt is not a sovereign nation. It's a sovereign regime. And that requires no respect at all. It means nothing.
 
There's a difference between a sovereign nation and a sovereign regime. A nation is the people. A regime is not representation. We are under no obligation whatsoever to respect the sovereignty of a regime. The existence of a regime means - by definition - the nation, the people, are not sovereign.

Egypt is not a sovereign nation. It's a sovereign regime. And that requires no respect at all. It means nothing.
They're up for defending freedom of speech in America. Except when it's the MSM asking for access to Trump. Then it's the enemy of the people.

When it comes down to easy questions of defending our journalists abroad, they get all philosophical on you. They'll stand by bombing Iranian head honchos without knowledge of Democrats but get concerned about defending freedom of speech abroad.

The Trump brand is strong but it isn't always logical.

Shame.

[emoji328]
 
They're up for defending freedom of speech in America. Except when it's the MSM asking for access to Trump. Then it's the enemy of the people.

Fair point. Those claiming we only need to defend our freedoms domestically are the same supporting the President controlling access.
 
Fair point. Those claiming we only need to defend our freedoms domestically are the same supporting the President controlling access.
Trump threw his lot in with the Putin, Kims and Dutertes for a reason. Their sole goal is increase their own regional strength. Can't have the press mess with that.


[emoji328]
 
Trump threw his lot in with the Putin, Kims and Dutertes for a reason. Their sole goal is increase their own regional strength. Can't have the press mess with that.


[emoji328]

In regard to both the Press Corps and his campaign rallies, the President has abused power in attempt to control access for personal benefit.
 
China, like Saudi, has agreed to drag-feet into the 20th century. They're modernizing slowly but methodically, including social issues. It'll take a couple generations or three, but each will eventually join the socially developed world. There's no need to create geopolitical problems for either regime.

See, we gotta have priorities. We can't advance the world to developed social status overnight. The diplomatic toolbox contains quite the variety. Sometimes diplomacy, sometimes economic engagement, sometimes international efforts. There are a million ways to push development wheel-barrels. Sometimes, however, problems occur. One cannot push a wheel-barrel with no wheel. When a wheel-barrel needs a wheel, that's regime change.


What century are you living in?


WTF is a wheel-barrel?

Spell-check, amirite?
 
What century are you living in?


WTF is a wheel-barrel?

Spell-check, amirite?
China has almost complete control of all media outlets in China. The ones they can't really **** with openly are foreign journalists. A journalists only hope of getting out of some situation can be the strength of their passports and what happens if they just off the guy.

We should have everyone on board with the idea that the rule is global. Don't touch our guys, we won't make yours disappear either.

Not sure what the problem here is. You telling us people shouldn't respect our citizens when they leave our borders? If the Chinese answer is maybe, they live in the 20th century.

Not the 21st.



[emoji328]
 
This was reported in September, but I just learned about it. I find it amazing.

During an address at Brown University, AG Sulzberger, the NYT publisher, related what happened when a Times journalist was endangered by the Egyptian government.



You can see his address at this link.

I believe a free press is an essential ingredient in any functioning democracy. Attacking it is the work of despots.

p.s. 18 months later another NYT reporter arrived in Egypt. He was detained and deported in apparent retaliation for exposing information that was embarrassing to the Egyptian government. When the NYT protested the move, a senior official at the US embassy in Cairo said, "what did you expect would happen? His reporting made the government look bad."

Why were they going to arrest him?
 
Seems fair enough that we don't imprison foreign journalists and ask that the same courtesy be extended to ours abroad or we will rain hellfire on them.

Freedom of the press must be defended globally otherwise, what's the point?

[emoji328]

Something just froze over because I happen to agree with you. I am wondering though if freedom of the press is subject to interpretation. Is reporting monitored and/or censored in some nations?
 
China has almost complete control of all media outlets in China. The ones they can't really **** with openly are foreign journalists. A journalists only hope of getting out of some situation can be the strength of their passports and what happens if they just off the guy.

We should have everyone on board with the idea that the rule is global. Don't touch our guys, we won't make yours disappear either.

Not sure what the problem here is. You telling us people shouldn't respect our citizens when they leave our borders? If the Chinese answer is maybe, they live in the 20th century.

Not the 21st.



[emoji328]

What are you responding to? I’m ****ing with eco, what are you doing?
 
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