I have always naively assumed journalists were protected in war zones or other areas of unrest, and thought that if they were injured or killed while performing their jobs, it was purely accidental. What occurred this past week, and learning of prior incidents, has been shocking to me. Laws are definitely needed.
Thank you for continuing to bring the truth out into the light.
I have always admired journalists who put themselves in harm’s way in war zones and other dangerous situations. But they absolutely DO NOT deserve to be intentionally harmed by law enforcement officers for doing their jobs! And the perpetrator’s superiors are covering up for them! The Constitution is being stomped on!
Yes. We have friends who are active and retired journalists. A few Pulitzers in there w that group. Our son-in-law is an investigative journalist. All of the above have received threats, death threats at different times in their careers.
The current regime wants The Fourth Estate eliminated - “state media”/‘state TV” only… and much of the current reporting has very strong North Korean, Soviet, Russian vibes. Which is beyond disturbing.
Approximately 200 journalists have been killed trying to report in Gaza.
Journalists are regular targets in Russia. The only way to be a journalist in Russia and be relatively safe is to work for the State Media and pump out the propaganda.
Now we see it happening on the streets of America as journalists are targeted.
As a former journalist who understands the First Amendment, it seems self evident that the press is part and parcel of protections ensured to protect the Constitution and our freedoms. An assault on the press by law enforcement cannot be dismissed as collateral damage, but needs to be prosecuted! Seems to me that too many people in law enforcement and now in this current administration need to be educated as to what the Constitution and our country really stands for! I became a jounalist, as a calling, for "Truth, Justice and the American Way". And I still feel strongly about that and the Fourth Estate guardrail that the press is supposed to be via the First Amendment! But too many in today's media, also, fail in their responsibilities to the Constitution. I'm looking at all the pseudo "news" outlets and the news organizations which are not following that Constitutuonal mandate of protecting our Democratic Republic!
The most egregious, intolerable subset of these incidents are the deliberate, targeted shootings. And we've seen a high proportion of those in LA just during the short course of these protests.
Enhanced criminal penalties should be mandated for all such incidents.
It's interesting, and perhaps telling, that LAPD engages in cross-training with security and military forces of a particular nation with a noteworthy history of violence agains press and journalists (including an American woman who was targeted and killed).
They, along with many US PDs, participate in this program bearing the enchanting and appropriate name "Deadly Exchange".
I might have to give gift subscriptions to my federal representatives. This and all you the reporting you do is insightful, angry but not manical, snarky (let's admit it we need it) without being plain old mean. Keep giving them ideas, let them own them too, their ego needs a little boosting these days!
Truth 💯. There's never been real accountability for law enforcers who break the law. Nor are there laws with teeth to hold them accountable. There should be no immunity for someone breaking a law. There are other safeguards against frivolous or false accusations. And if not, put them in the no immunity laws. For every officer actually held to account, usually with a civil, not criminal case, there are likely hundreds of miscreants who get a pass. Being an officer of the law should not mean one is above the law, but that is the situation we have now. With the felonpotus and other lawless cohorts in charge, there will be no reform until they are all gone.
I have always naively assumed journalists were protected in war zones or other areas of unrest, and thought that if they were injured or killed while performing their jobs, it was purely accidental. What occurred this past week, and learning of prior incidents, has been shocking to me. Laws are definitely needed.
Thank you for continuing to bring the truth out into the light.
traditionally they were a protected member of our society but telling the truth is now illegal.
Thank you for writing this.
My take is that many people are unaware of all of this. Stories need to be told.
We need journalists and we need to protect those journalists (you know, actual journalists - those shining the bright lights into dark corners)
I have always admired journalists who put themselves in harm’s way in war zones and other dangerous situations. But they absolutely DO NOT deserve to be intentionally harmed by law enforcement officers for doing their jobs! And the perpetrator’s superiors are covering up for them! The Constitution is being stomped on!
Yes. We have friends who are active and retired journalists. A few Pulitzers in there w that group. Our son-in-law is an investigative journalist. All of the above have received threats, death threats at different times in their careers.
The current regime wants The Fourth Estate eliminated - “state media”/‘state TV” only… and much of the current reporting has very strong North Korean, Soviet, Russian vibes. Which is beyond disturbing.
Approximately 200 journalists have been killed trying to report in Gaza.
Journalists are regular targets in Russia. The only way to be a journalist in Russia and be relatively safe is to work for the State Media and pump out the propaganda.
Now we see it happening on the streets of America as journalists are targeted.
As a former journalist who understands the First Amendment, it seems self evident that the press is part and parcel of protections ensured to protect the Constitution and our freedoms. An assault on the press by law enforcement cannot be dismissed as collateral damage, but needs to be prosecuted! Seems to me that too many people in law enforcement and now in this current administration need to be educated as to what the Constitution and our country really stands for! I became a jounalist, as a calling, for "Truth, Justice and the American Way". And I still feel strongly about that and the Fourth Estate guardrail that the press is supposed to be via the First Amendment! But too many in today's media, also, fail in their responsibilities to the Constitution. I'm looking at all the pseudo "news" outlets and the news organizations which are not following that Constitutuonal mandate of protecting our Democratic Republic!
The most egregious, intolerable subset of these incidents are the deliberate, targeted shootings. And we've seen a high proportion of those in LA just during the short course of these protests.
Enhanced criminal penalties should be mandated for all such incidents.
It's interesting, and perhaps telling, that LAPD engages in cross-training with security and military forces of a particular nation with a noteworthy history of violence agains press and journalists (including an American woman who was targeted and killed).
They, along with many US PDs, participate in this program bearing the enchanting and appropriate name "Deadly Exchange".
What "particular nation...with a history of violence..." are you referring to?
Why, Tahiti, of course!
Anyone who's doubtful or unsure can simply google "deadly exchange" and more shall be revealed.
Agreed!❣️
Excellent suggestion. Could it be done at a state level, since obviously the current emerging federal police state will not pass such a law.
We think it would have to be unless you think Mike Johnson would introduce such a bill.
ABSOLUTELY!!!
Hopefully the next administration passes this law
I might have to give gift subscriptions to my federal representatives. This and all you the reporting you do is insightful, angry but not manical, snarky (let's admit it we need it) without being plain old mean. Keep giving them ideas, let them own them too, their ego needs a little boosting these days!
If you have their emails, you could invite them with a referral code from the leaderboatd:
https://www.closertotheedge.net/leaderboard
Gift subscriptions work too.
Truth 💯. There's never been real accountability for law enforcers who break the law. Nor are there laws with teeth to hold them accountable. There should be no immunity for someone breaking a law. There are other safeguards against frivolous or false accusations. And if not, put them in the no immunity laws. For every officer actually held to account, usually with a civil, not criminal case, there are likely hundreds of miscreants who get a pass. Being an officer of the law should not mean one is above the law, but that is the situation we have now. With the felonpotus and other lawless cohorts in charge, there will be no reform until they are all gone.
Maybe review the use of force rules for your police, period.