A Tough Neighborhood For Independent Media - March 2, 2022
Independence can be a tricky concept for media outlets. As every banker - and politician - knows there is always somebody calling the tune, so to speak. A slew of corruption fighting investigative reporting groups have come into prominence in the last decade for uncovering, as best they can, who gets paid to what end. Corruption can slam into press freedom and, clearly, the very notion of media independence.

Impunity, Corruption Called Out In Human Rights Report, Offending Politician - April 5, 2021
Human rights issues are, like almost everything else, highly politicized. Country to country there is wide disparity of judgement on what is and is not important. Press freedom and freedom of expression are included by some, not by others. And the differences have grown wider since all nations adopted the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (1948), which vowed that "human rights should be protected by the rule of law."

A Parallel Universe On A Screen Near You Again - March 6, 2021
European Union institutions adopted a “roll your eyes” attitude toward government officials in Poland and Hungary several years ago, particularly with respect to media issues. There is no arguing with the far-right nationalist, populist, xenophobes. But, diplomacy must endure so communication persists.

Report So They Cannot Avert Their Eyes - February 28, 2021
Violence against media workers follows clear patterns. Critical reporting is met with retribution. Corrupt individuals seek to silence forever those who would uncover their deeds. The power of office, they believe, must not be impinged by reporters’ prying eyes. Outrage, when it appears, can be quelled and disappears over time. Impunity reigns. Journalism cowers.

Making A List Not Just For Santa - March 6, 2020
Authoritarians in our midst and various wannabes practice keeping inconvenient news away from their subjects. It’s a time honored tradition. The digital era promised relief from this practice, in the interest of preventing repression and promoting democracy. It has not worked out so well.

News Media Fights Pressure From Political Operators - March 4, 2020
Exclusive reporting is status-enhancing for news outlets. Competitors, quite often, will mention or even quote these reports as they add more information or analysis. Usually, credit is given. Under generally accepted copyright rules, this is just fine, quite legal. But, when it comes to news reporting and the rule of law in the age of spin and disinformation claims to the contrary arise.

With Increasing Frequency, Voters Call "Enough" - March 2, 2020
Little known candidates and political parties, often outside conventional definition, capture media attention and, sometimes, win elections. Today this is a feature, not a bug. Certainly, reporters and editors - and their readers and viewers - are attracted to colorful characters. But yet another election campaign has been upended by coverage of corruption and incompetence not to forget public outcry over threats and violence toward news media shining a light on it all.