Countries, such as China and Myanmar are trying to build a better quality of life for their people. Sometimes the old way of doing things get caught up in the movement toward more freedoms. No one will convince me China is not attempting to move it's government to a strong market-based economy with a very viable middle class. In that lies the ability to do so in the face of old fears that place a limit on such goals.
Journalism actually provides a place for citizens of any country to find an interest in their governing practices. Local journalists can provide empowerment to the people that can then have their grievances addressed. The governance of such grievances creates an election. The one person that appears to be able to satisfy the desire for the best outcomes of the people will be elected and through that freedom of choice comes a far calmer and engaged population. It is not theory, it is fact.
If countries such as China and North Korea and Myanmar want to have a population of engaged consumers and relatively happy people, they have to develop a free press. That is not happening. Governments feeling the greatest challenge to their authority are actually caught up in a negative feedback loop that requires more jailings and resources needed in their courts. Such restrictions on self-expression by the people puts a huge drag on their national economies.
"Reporters without Borders" should have research at the ready with these facts when journalists are jailed rather than celebrated.
I stated DEVELOP, not turn loose, a community of engaged journalists with a free press. Drastic changes can be dangerous, but, jailing journalists is truly not in the best interest of the country. The governments developing a free press should actively seek the best path forward to encourage stability in a time when terrorists seek access to the power of a country.
Case in point:
An apology is all that was necessary to stem any disapproval of a live broadcast gone awry. No one organizing this WWE match wanted to offend wives.
Saudi Arabian officials (click here) have apologized after images of scantily clad women appeared on big screens during a world wrestling event that allowed women and children for the first time.
The Saudi General Sports Authority released a statement on Saturday, a day after a promotional ad featuring female wrestlers aired at the World Wrestling Entertainment Co.'s Greatest Royal Rumble in Jeddah.
They apologized on a Twitter post for 'the scenes of indecent women that featured in an ad before one of the matches.'...
