Freedom of the Press, My Ass!

Amy Goodman, a journalist and host of "Democracy Now! The War and Peace Report" was arrested outside the Republican National Convention. Here's the video of her arrest and an account and follow up after her release from jail is available on Salon.com. Before you think that this was probably some liberal journalist causing trouble, the Washington Post is reporting that an AP photographer was also arrested while covering the protests outside the convention.

According to Salon:
UPDATE IV: The Washington Post has a few more details on the arrest of Goodman and the two Democracy Now producers. In addition to them, a photographer for Associated Press was also arrested today while covering the protests (h/t Edward Champion). An AP spokesman said of the arrest: "covering news is constitutionally protected, and photographers should not be detained for covering breaking news." Democratic strategist and CNN commentator Donna Brazile was hit by pepper spray on her way into the Xcel Center.

Just as was true for the despicable home raids this weekend, there will be no shortage of people defending all of this (browse through the comment section here to see many such people). The fact that there were some criminals engaged in some destructive acts (who, needless to say, should have been arrested), apparently means that whatever the Police do both before and afterwards is justifiable (just as the existence of some Terrorists justifies whatever the Government does in many people's minds).

I don't care who you are and what your political opinions are, but it is outrageous to arrest a member of the press for absolutely no reason. During the Olympics, the Chinese government was criticized for limiting press coverage. Why would we ever stand for it in this country?

Please go to the Democracy Now! website to find out how you can help. It could be as easy as sending an email denouncing such terrible acts. We love this country and want to see the First Amendment protected!