The main heading on Reporters Without Borders this Thanksgiving simply says, "Bloodbath." A click through to the story shows that the death toll of journalists killed in the Philippines in a recent massacre has now reached 29. That's 29 of 57 people killed. Presumably the journalists were killed to keep them from reporting on the massacre of a convoy of political rivals on their way to register for an election.
The leading suspect in the massacre is the local governor's son, per the story. In other words, this looks like an attempt by a ruling family to stay in power by squelching both freedom in elections and freedom of the press, all in one horrific massacre that wasn't just about quick shots to the head, but rather involved rapes, extensive torture, and beheadings.
To get an idea of what things are like over there, check out the U.S. State Department's Travel Alert issued November 24th stating the following: "Travelers should exercise extreme caution if traveling" to affected areas of the Philippines. "The state of emergency includes road checkpoints conducted by the Philippine military and law enforcement. If U.S. citizens travel...despite this Travel Alert, they should understand there are heightened tensions and there will be a significant military presence. They should carefully research restrictions imposed upon travel and follow the instructions of officials with regards to limitations on movement. Travelers to this area should remain vigilant and avoid congregating in public areas. Some foreigners...hire their own security. The Department of State remains concerned about the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world."
Although all of the journalists murdered in the massacre were apparently from the Philippines and covering news for local and national media outlets, Americans remain at risk of being targets in their own right. A September Travel Warning for the Philippines issued prior to the massacre stated the following about "terrorist and insurgent activities" there: "Regional terrorist groups have carried out bombings resulting in injuries and deaths. Since August 2008, there have been sporadic clashes between lawless groups and the Philippine Armed Forces...Kidnap-for-ransom gangs are active and have targeted foreigners. U.S. Government employees must seek special permission for travel" to affected areas.
Travel Alerts are issued to inform on short-term conditions "that pose imminent risk to the security of U.S. citizens," while Travel Warnings are issued "to describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable." The Department of State currently has Travel Alerts for 11 countries including Mexico, Honduras and Germany, and Travel Warnings for 29 countries including Israel and Columbia. Why Germany? Because of Al Queda threats. The Department has also issued a general Worldwide Caution, which is worth reading if you plan to travel abroad anytime soon.
Reporters Without Borders offers the following statistics for 2009 so far worldwide: 35 journalists killed (29 in the Philippines alone); 176 journalists imprisoned; 10 media assistants imprisoned; and 93 cyberdissidents imprisoned. The organization even labels specific countries as "Internet Enemies," which of course include China, which for the past several months has not even allowed its citizens access to Facebook.
I'm gripped by a mixture of concerns and emotions: the gratitude I feel for the brave reporters and bloggers who risk so much to tell it like it is; the need to support efforts to improve political and press freedoms around the world; and the increasing threat of travel abroad for Americans, just because they are Americans. While our passports allow us travel to more countries than any other people on the planet, it seems that the passport should come with a disclaimer: Travel at Your Own Risk. A complete report on all the attacks against Americans in recent years would be nice as well.
I'm also gripped by the lack of coverage in the mass media of what is going on in the Philippines and in other countries where freedom of the press is at risk. Clearly, the reporters who are still alive there and writing about the deaths of their peers are doing so with some measure of fear for their own welfare. Yet they continue to report. Cyberdissidents around the world continue to blog. I urge everyone to seek out the writings of those who write under adverse conditions. Even if CNN doesn't care to pick up on the news because they'd rather cover Black Friday shoppers and such, it will be worthwhile to find out what message these people have who are risking their lives to deliver it.
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