Fair Reporting is a Hostile Act?

Hearings began today in North Korea for the two American journalists accused of entering the country illegally to engage in “hostile acts.” It was on March 17 that Laura Ling and Euna Lee, Current TV reporters, were arrested somewhere near the North Korea-China border. You can read more about the story HERE, but I just need to throw in my three cents on the situation. I’m going to assume that the government of North Korea is not familiar with the programming on Current TV, which can be accessed on their website as well as on cable. Personally, I am a big fan of Current TV. I enjoy this media outlet because they report on a wide variety of topics from all over the world, and they tend to do so in an objective manner without the political or corporate bias that has tainted much of our traditional media. Current TV is a lot of things, but one thing it is not is “hostile.” If anything, their reports usually promote tolerance and understanding of differing views; anyone familiar with their programming would most likely agree. Despite this, Ling and Lee are being detained and will probably be used by North Korea as negotiating pawns (“Leave us and our missiles alone or we’ll throw your reporters in a labor camp” – you know, something like that). I’m not judging North Korea’s policies or their creative definition of the word “hostile,” I’m just saying it’s bullshit and I hope Ling and Lee are allowed to come home safely soon.

* UPDATE – 6-8-09:  They were sentenced today to 12 years of “reform by labor.”  Sometimes I hate to say I told you so.  Now the negotiations can begin…

~ by doe333 on June 4, 2009.