As much as people criticise the media in America

At least we live in a free society, where freedom of the press is protected.

Number of jailed journalists sets global record

Imprisonment of journalists worldwide reached a record high in 2012, driven in part by the widespread use of charges of terrorism and other anti-state offenses against critical reporters and editors, the Committee to Protect Journalists has found. In its annual census of imprisoned journalists, CPJ identified 232 individuals behind bars on December 1, an increase of 53 over its 2011 tally.

That's a tally of journalists imprisoned on December 1st of this year, not including those imprisoned and released. One notable fact was that Burma, for the first time since 1996, did not have any journalists imprisoned, several were released before the December 1st date, and in fact twelve pardons were issued. That's due to the major shift in the country from a military junta to civilian rule. The report also looks only at imprisonment, not those killed, abducted, or missing.

I am a little wary of these sorts of stories, especially when they seem to originate from FOXNews

So this essay rather said what I thought about the matter:
The Giant, Prehistoric Squid That Ate Common Sense

We have a serious problem with science journalism. A big one, in fact, and today that problem takes the form of a giant, prehistoric squid with tentacles so formidable that it has sucked the brains right out of staff writers’ heads.

While making the rounds among a few California museums late last month, I kept hearing rumors of a bombastic, super-hyped presentation due to be presented at this year’s Geological Society of America meeting in Minneapolis. The scuttlebutt was that someone was going to give a talk about a super-intelligent, predatory squid which fed on huge ichthyosaurs during the Triassic. Fascinating, if true, but the reason that all the paleontologists I met were chuckling was because there was not a shred of actual evidence to back up the claims. Apparently, whoever was set to give the talk had apparently stayed up late watching It Came From Beneath the Sea too many times.

Now the talk has officially been given and the scant details of the proposition have been oozed out into the newswires by way of a press release. Let me be clear — there is no paper yet or anything specific for those not in attendance at GSA to look at. This fact will be key to the media nonsense which has been swirling around the web today.

Here's the FOXNews story for comparison: Lair of Ancient 'Kraken' Sea Monster Possibly Discovered

Journalists die and their killers go free, and this tells you where it's the worst

Getting Away with Murder

The Committee to Protect Journalists recently released their Impunity Index, a measure to determine what ratio of unsolved journalist murders were found when compared to a country's population. They list the top 13 offenders, where journalists have been slain and governments have been unable or unwilling to catch their killer, covering the years 2001-2010. This year's and last year's rankings are shown. Russia appears to be doing better, while things are spiraling for Mexico. It's a grim look at the reality of places where it's vital to get word out of what is happening, and many brave men and women do so every day, but the dangers are great.

Scary when in a free society, on a college campus

a student reporter is tackled and TASERed by police for asking too many questions.

Tasering of Student Heard around the World

Only one person in the audience even cried 'stop!', according to reports. There have been protests on campus since then. Sen. Kerry's people (he was the speaker) have not condemned the attack, citing an unfounded report of an officer injured during Andrew Meyer's resistance, and a desire to get all the facts while responding. Sen. Kerry did attempt to answer the young man's questions as he was taken away. Crazy world. I hope the charges against him are dropped.

Here's what happened: