Is 'Free Speech' Dying In America's Newsrooms?

Daily Mail: Death of free speech in the US: How a terrifying revolution sweeping newsrooms sees journalists who deviate from the new liberal orthodoxy hounded out - while 62 per cent of ordinary Americans are too frightened to speak their mind

You might never have come across Bon Appetit, a glossy monthly magazine which serves up a cosy mix of gourmet recipes, wine reviews and lifestyle tips to its 1.5 million readers.

It is hard to imagine a less controversial publication, or one that's more quintessentially American with its aspirational blend of self-improvement and conspicuous consumption – and it has been attracting record digital subscriptions thanks to lockdown tips for banana bread and avocado toast.

But popularity counted for nothing when a picture appeared online showing its editor of ten years, Adam Rapoport, dressed as a Puerto Rican at a Halloween fancy dress party. At a stroke he was out, branded a racist.

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WNU Editor: This trend of purging people with opposite political views first started in universities and entertainment/Hollywood a few decades ago. A purge that has unfortunately now resulted in very little if any diversity of thought/opinion in many of these institutions. And as for major newsrooms. They have always been left of center, but the purge of "conservative" and even "moderate" journalists has certainly intensified in the past few years. And as for news web sites on the web that do not toe the progressive orthodoxy, being banned on social media platforms and in search engine results is now becoming more and more common. And I am speaking from personal experience. WNU's Google search results disappeared for a half a day a few weeks ago .... It Appears That Goolgle Has A Black List Of Conservative Sites (War News Updates Is On The List) (July 22, 2020).

Free Speech Is Dying In The Western World

Shut Up And Play Nice: How The Western World Is Limiting Free Speech -- Washington Post

Free speech is dying in the Western world. While most people still enjoy considerable freedom of expression, this right, once a near-absolute, has become less defined and less dependable for those espousing controversial social, political or religious views. The decline of free speech has come not from any single blow but rather from thousands of paper cuts of well-intentioned exceptions designed to maintain social harmony.

In the face of the violence that frequently results from anti-religious expression, some world leaders seem to be losing their patience with free speech. After a video called “Innocence of Muslims” appeared on YouTube and sparked violent protests in several Muslim nations last month, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned that “when some people use this freedom of expression to provoke or humiliate some others’ values and beliefs, then this cannot be protected.”

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My Comment: When we see demonstrations like this .... yes ... free speech when it comes to religion is definitely dying.

Can Active Duty Troops Criticize The President Of The United States

Marine Says He'll Continue To Post On Tea Party Facebook Page -- FOX News

A Camp Pendleton Marine whose Facebook posts ignited a debate about whether active duty troops are allowed to criticize the president of the United States says he intends to keep posting his views on the Web.

Sgt. Gary Stein created the Facebook group "Armed Forces Tea Party Patriots" three weeks ago as a way to voice his opposition to President Obama's health care overhaul. On Tuesday, prior to a cable TV interview, superior officers asked the 24-year-old Marine to review the Department of Defense directives on political activities. Stein then removed the Facebook group, only to see it revived by a civilian member of a local Tea Party group hours later.

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More News On Sgt. Gary Stein

Marine's Anti-Obama Facebook Page Sparks Debate -- CBS News
Marine back on Facebook after fueling debate -- AP
Marine's anti-Obama Facebook comments fuel debate -- WOAI
Marine's anti-Obama Facebook comments fuel debate -- AP
Tea Party Patriots’ page back in business -- Navy Times
MILITARY: Marine's Facebook page stirs debate -- North County Times

My Comment: You can voice your opposition, but not in public .... I am sure that is the message that the brass is going to make.

Is there a double standard at play here .... of course. Admiral Mullin will never be relieved of his duty for coming out in favor of don't ask, don't tell. But the only difference between him and the Sgt. is that he favors a President Obama policy and the Marine opposes it.

What is my take .... as an advocate of free speech .... I have no problem with the Sgt.'s Facebook page. As long as he serves his duty and the orders that are given to him, he should be left alone.