Al Jazeera English: When censorship becomes the norm

[SealLion]

This is true, I believe.

Media 'hotspots' are the places where a free press is almost non-existent and independent media are either silenced by government forces, overpowered by state-owned broadcasters, or shut out of conflict zones, unable to report the story at all.

We start this week's report with a look back at the coverage from Gaza - the media blockade, and the spin from within the war zone that was designed to mask the truth.

Video available for viewing at website.


Here's the link:

Al Jazeera English - LISTENING POST - When censorship becomes the norm

[slikrapid]

another reason why we need reliable alternative sources of information from dedicated & thorough people who aren't likely to be intimidated or bribed or suckered into spreading disinformation or just re-typing official versions of events

naturally, the government wants to look pristine & anything that stands in the way will be deleted/re-interpreted/blamed on someone else or just ignored/marginalized

hopefully people are smart enough to know that things are never black & white but shades of gray

i remember one professional photographer saying - never believe what they give you (the government), always doubt and check it out to be sure

[Rasec]

They censor women, costumes, food, internet, markets, beliefs... the media are simply one more artifact of opinion and propaganda during conflicts. Press is a weapon of war like any other and real free press is only possible a few years after the war is over when no interests are in between.

[slikrapid]

the media are simply one more artifact of opinion and propaganda during conflicts. Press is a weapon of war like any other and real free press is only possible a few years after the war is over when no interests are in between.

i'm afraid it doesn't matter whether it is war or not - there are always some interests to protect/pursue

actually free press is theoretically always possible, the question is how (easily) can they get to crucial reliable information & what information spread/radius or what level of public awareness can they achieve as they usually exist on society's margins

[SealLion]

BAsically, the more people know of alternative media, the greater the awareness of the news that alternative media's bring out to the public.

there's many.

Axis of logic is just one of many. Wikileaks is another. I like to believe that Al-Jazeera is yet another as it gives news from an other persective that is not western-based.

Dissendent Voice is yet another.

Now that I've mentioned a few, I think that I"ll start bring in a few articles from those sources.

And yes, I am fully aware that it is important to be able to understand the difference between some conspiracy site and 'real' alternative news.

News from your local media is one thing, news that you normally don't hear, is at least I find, another.

And of course, it also has a lot to do with the interest that people have in hearing news from legit alternative news sources.