BLUF: The United States ranked poorly in the Press Freedom Index for 2020, with hundreds of attacks on reporters catalogued by the Press Freedom Tracker. Julian Assange’s ongoing persecution represents a grave threat to the First Amendment and press freedoms, and it is imperative for us to support a free and independent press if we want democracy to survive.
OSINT: May 3rd marked the 30th anniversary of Press Freedom Day, and Reporters Without Borders inaugurated this event in 1993 with support from UNESCO. Their original report in 1991 laid the groundwork for the Press Freedom Index, which ranks freedom of the press in almost 180 countries. Sadly, the United States ranked poorly in recent years and consistently fell behind other countries in the Index. In 2020, the country ranked 45th, and there was a rise in attacks on journalists, with law enforcement officers committing more than 80% of the violations against the First Amendment.
RIGHT: The issue of press freedom in the United States is complicated by government control and suppression of information. The mainstream media and corporations operate in cahoots, controlling the narrative and silencing opposing voices. Even so-called free speech advocates on the left ignore blatant censorship of right-wing opinions, making a mockery of the First Amendment. Without a truly independent press, the people cannot be informed or participate in meaningful civic engagement.
LEFT: The attacks on journalists are an attack on democracy and the public’s right to know. The Biden administration’s pursuit of Julian Assange and the ongoing persecution of whistleblowers only serve to chill free speech and limit transparency. We need to call for increased protections of reporters, publishers, and whistleblowers, and an end to the culture of impunity for crimes against them. We must ensure that there is accountability for those who violate journalists’ rights and that they are held responsible for their actions.
INTEL: The current public discourse around press freedom is highly polarized, with each side extolling its own virtues and castigating the other side. However, the AI analysis reveals that both sides agree that the attacks on journalists are an attack on democracy. Both sides call for increased protections for reporters, although the left emphasizes holding those who violate journalists’ rights accountable while the right is more focused on ensuring an independent and unbiased press. The AI also notes that there is a need for more impartial voices to help bridge the gaps in understanding and promote compromise.