Freest Press in the World?

[Keukasmallies]

It sounds like the concentric circle concept applies to the definition of journalistic freedom. Lots of decision points where, for whatever reason, bias, control, etc. could be/is exercised. Maybe one test of the extent of journalistic freedom is the number of levels at which one is free to make those decisions, e.g., fewer levels equals less freedom.

[OCinBuffalo]

(I just saw that RKfast said this, so I will expand)

I think that U.S. ranking 36th or whatever is about right. Yes, I know that sounds awful, but consider:

 

1. WTF does Belgium have to hide? I mean come on, it's not like there's some sort of major issues being decided in the dark, smoke filled rooms of Brussels.

 

2. In contrast, the U.S. has all kinds of secrets that must be kept, and therefore, we have no choice but to limit what the media knows.

 

This is merely a theoretical debate, and is not an "apples to apples" comparison. When we start keeping score in terms of real death and real destruction in the real world, this theory goes out the window. Is anyone going to die if Belgium's inner most state secrets were to be revealed? In contrast, hundreds of thousands could die, and thousands would almost certainly die, if our secrets were compromised. This debate, and the "rating scale" of these turds is both absurd and irrelevant to the real world.

 

Also, if we didn't keep our secrets as we do, Belgium is put in real danger. So is every other country in Europe.

 

And that's the real point here: this is just another variation on the "Europe knows we protect them, they are insecure about it, so they attack us verbally, but cry every time we even consider reducing our NATO commitments". It's getting old, except for the the dolts like conner who aren't bright enough to see this for what it is.

[DC Tom]

1. WTF does Belgium have to hide?

 

Walloons, for starters.

[OCinBuffalo]

Walloons, for starters.

I have no idea what a walloon is, or, if it is even a real thing.

 

Having said that, I am happy that our press, and our country is free enough that we tolerate your reprehensible walloon posts, and conners endless drivel(and yes, i did just draw a comparison between you and conner, hahahaha, live with it)...

 

...without either of you, or any of our reporters, being smashed repeatedly on camera.

[DC Tom]

I have no idea what a walloon is, or, if it is even a real thing.

 

Germanic Belgians, in the south of the country. Trust me, Olivier in France will find that joke amusing.

 

...without either of you, or any of our reporters, being smashed repeatedly on camera.

 

Though in his case, and Geraldo Rivera's, one can dream...

[GG]

(I just saw that RKfast said this, so I will expand)

I think that U.S. ranking 36th or whatever is about right. Yes, I know that sounds awful, but consider:

 

1. WTF does Belgium have to hide?

 

Secrets to very good beer & chocolate making?