This is Sunshine Month in the media world. And, in the past, at various newspapers of mine, I've had no problems running outside guest columns. Often, the Texas Press Association serves something up via its news service.
Well, this year Kelley Shannon, executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, was in the bullpen. And, I took a pass. Here's why (couldn't find this year's column linked at FOIFT, so this is via TPA:
As Ukrainians fight and die for democracy, Russia is arresting its own citizens who are protesting the war and threatening prison for journalists who report the truth.
The attempt to crush a democratic government and stop the flow of information comes as American news organizations and transparency advocates observe Sunshine Week from March 13-19, a time for highlighting government openness and a free press.
Certainly, let’s commemorate the freedom of information we enjoy – and constantly strive to improve – in the United States. But it’s imperative to contrast it with what’s happening around the world and understand how devastating it is when a government allows only its own tightly controlled version of events to trickle out.
Earlier this month, Vladimir Putin’s government changed its domestic media laws to make it a crime to distribute what it deemed to be “false news” about the war. Doing so could mean up to 15 years behind bars. Many news organizations pulled journalists out of the country or shut their operations; the government also cut off access to major social media sites, the Neiman Journalism Lab reported in its thorough rundown on the severe restrictions.
The censorship amounts to an “information dark age,” according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, which called on journalists everywhere to stand in opposition.
Thwarting free speech isn’t only happening in Russia. We simply need to think back to the Olympics a few weeks ago to remember the spotlight on China’s crackdowns on dissent and free expression and its control of internet content. And, of course, there are other examples.
As I tweeted to her and FOIFT, Ukraine as well as Russia has engaged in media censorship. And, Ukraine as well as Russia did it before the start of the war. Don't believe me? Here.
Beyond that, in years past, via what WAS and IS on the FOIFT website? Shannon has never mentioned Israeli censorship of Palestinian media, attacking even US media when it thinks it can get away with it, and more.
None of this is meant to condone Putin's invasion. Nor are my other observations meant to condone Palestine's own suppression of media and many other things. Nor are these observations meant as any "moral equivalence."
Rather, it's to say Ms. Shannon should be more inclusive in her international examples or else not use any. And, that's not even to discuss misinformation by omission at the national level being part of maintaining "access" or even cheerleading.
American media cannot go around fact-checking when, by omission if not commission, it commits errors like this itself. And, given the Iraq War, it can't make mistakes like these and not have to face the music on allegations of being cheerleaders for the government.
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