Is the News Free?
by Latoya Peterson
I did a quick piece for WireTap about Laura Ling and Euna Lee, after I went to the vigil.
Last night, over fifty people gathered at Freedom Plaza in Washington D.C. to hold a candlelight vigil for imprisoned journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee. The two reporters for Current TV were in China filming a piece on sex trafficking when they inadvertently crossed the border into North Korea. They were detained by North Korean forces and have been awaiting trial for the last three months. The trial began today and there is still no word on the fate of the two journalists. [...]
Ling and Lee’s work is invaluable to what I do as a media maker. As we enter a world where corporate interests often trump stories that impact every day people, Current TV’s work developing user generated content and training citizens to become journalists is rapidly emerging as a model to follow to keep citizens engaged in their communities.
But, it is like the old truism: Nothing in life comes for free. In the process of fighting for truth, we have to dig deeper and go to places we never thought we’d go, often at the risk of running afoul of authorities who would rather this information was not released. I read an article published in the Guardian newspaper a few weeks ago where the writer noted that with all the monitoring of digital sites and email addresses that investigative journalists would be wise to adopt the tactics of drug dealers to keep their sources safe.
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of
Phrone wrote:
I hope both of the journalists return to the US safely. When I can, I often watch Current news. I’ve always liked the topics they chose and how well it was reported.
The idea of a news reporter having to act like a drug dealer is very jarring and disturbing to me. :/
Posted 05 Jun 2009 at 4:47 pm ¶
Katie wrote:
With media outlets controlling what information we get, and our correspondence easily and legally monitored by our government, I think whatever means journalists need to use to keep their sources safe is justified.
I pray for Ling and Lee’s safe return!
Posted 06 Jun 2009 at 2:06 pm ¶
Neesha wrote:
Thanks for this post, Latoya. Praying for the two journalists’ safe return (and others detained in the line of duty, as well).
Posted 07 Jun 2009 at 9:24 pm ¶
little mixed girl wrote:
i’ve been following their case a bit, and was sad to see today that they were sentenced to 12 yrs in NK prison! >:(
Posted 08 Jun 2009 at 2:28 am ¶
Fiqah wrote:
Thanks for posting this. I’ve been following this closely. I’m praying for Ling and Lee’s safe return home and an immediate overturning of this conviction. As a long-time member/donor of Amnesty International I’m also hoping that this case highlights just how important freedom of speech and freedom of the press are, and how they must be protected worldwide.
Posted 08 Jun 2009 at 11:22 am ¶
hysperia wrote:
I keep hearing that the silence of Gore and Current TV about Laura Ling and Euna Lee has to do with being cautious about their words being used to do more harm to these journalists. What do you think? In my own view, shutting up about things just allows people to do their worse with impunity. I can understand that care has to be taken with respect to what is said, but surely someone with Gore’s experience is capable of that?
Thanks for this.
Posted 08 Jun 2009 at 6:03 pm ¶
disiniadaebook wrote:
thanks for the great topic, its very interesting.
Posted 16 Oct 2009 at 3:13 am ¶