Thom Hartmann: #OWS Arrests Cost US Dearly in Press Freedom - #47 [View all]

[thomhartmann]

Not only did we hear the President's take on the State of the Union - but we also heard the Republican's take on it when Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels gave the official Republican response. We also heard from Mr. 9-9-9 himself - Herman Cain - who had the official Tea Party response. And yes, Cain did look at the right camera. However, less unexpected was the response from the Occupy movement from Washington, DC. In their response - the movement said ..."Financially, the state of the 99% is not strong. That is an understatement. Never in our lifetimes have so many hard-working Americans faced so many difficulties, so many uncertainties, so many indignities" It has been a very tumultuous year for the Occupy movement, and even more so for the reporters and journalists who have covered the movement and it's principles. Throughout 2011 - reporters covering the movement were beaten - arrested and ultimately prevented from reporting on police action against Occupy protestors. We all remember Mayor Michale Bloomberg's midnight raid on Zuccotti Park in which more than 200 peaceful protestors - including dozens of journalists - were arrested by police in riot gear. And as a result - our nation's press freedom have suffered a setback. We like to think of ourselves as the most free nation in the world when it comes to the press. But - in reality - we're not even close. Joining us to discuss more about the treatment of journalists in the United States today is Delphine Halgand - the DC bureau chief for Reporters Without Borders

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