Russia Doesn’t Care Much for Reporters
The Russians are none to keen about the freedom of press these days. One journalist who was highly critical of Vladimir Putin is dead, pushed out of a window by his goons. One ex-intelligence officer who was speaking openly to the press about Putin’s dealings died of poisoning. This article estimates that as many as 21 journalists have died in Putin’s Russia since 2000.
The disdain for the press has extended into the Russian invasion of Georgia.
Earlier this week a Dutch journalist was killed in the Georgian city of Gori by a Russian bombing raid (video links). Russian shelling in Gori killed a Georgian reporter whose car was struck. They weren’t killed because they were embedded with Georgian troops. They were in civilian areas of the city when the Russians flung their shells into Gori.
Now, Russian troops have taken to bullying journalists face to face. These Israeli journalists were shot at by a Russian soldier who then stole their car. The car was later returned. This Georgian reporter was shot in the arm by what they believe was a sniper while taping a report. Four other bullets whizzed by her after she was shot.
I recommend that you watch the videos. Some of the footage, especially the last one, is stunning.
The United States has been criticized heavily for the journalists who have been shot or otherwise wounded by US troops in Iraq. In 2005, Eason Jordan, then the head of CNN news, accused US soldiers of “targeting” at least a dozen journalists. This criticism has come even though no military in the world has gone to as much effort to protect the civilians in a war zone as the United States. I have yet to hear any of the groups who have been so critical of the Unites States come out in condemnation of the Russians even though no country in the history of the world has done so much to look after the safety of civilians in a war zone. I don’t expect I will either.
I would have at least expected an MSM outlet to pick up these stories and run with them by now. Perhaps one of them will, but I’m not holding my breath.
Other Posts of Interest:
- Russia to the World: Yeah, Georgia’s Ours. Screw You.
- The Russian Bear is Roaring Again
- Russia Takes South Ossetia, Eyes the Rest of Georgia, Seeks to Oust Georgian President (Updates: A Couple of Likely Reasons)
Category: Alliances and Allies, No More Tyrants
