Russia continues crackdown on dissenting views
Just so no one thinks I am a "Johnny One Note" by always talking about China, the AP reports that Russia has banned the entry of the director of Human Rights Watch.
Why should we, as journalists be concerned about this?
This most recent action of the Putin governemnt shows a continued disregard for the international treaties it signed allowing for freedom of expression and human rights. Among those rights is the right to a free press.
Attacks on organizations that seek to publically discuss the shortcomings of a governemnt -- any government -- are similarly attacks on independent journalists.
We already know that Putin has destroyed or reigned in independent media outlets in Russia. This action against Human rights watch is just another step in the supression of freedom of expression/speech/press.
Headline and links to full story follow.
Dan Kubiske
Rights group: Russia bars director
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Russia has clamped down on Human Rights Watch, refusing its executive director, Kenneth Roth, a visa to travel to Moscow, following a 72-page report on Russia's suppression of free speech.
Roth was to release the report in Moscow.
In a statement on the New York-based Human Rights Watch Web site, Roth said that new Russian rules block dissent and interfere with the work of nongovernmental organizations, or NGOs.