Press Freedom Rankings - U.S. ranks 53rd in the world

Sad.

The United States (53rd) has fallen nine places since last year, after being in 17th position in the first year of the Index, in 2002. Relations between the media and the Bush administration sharply deteriorated after the president used the pretext of “national security” to regard as suspicious any journalist who questioned his “war on terrorism.” The zeal of federal courts which, unlike those in 33 US states, refuse to recognise the media’s right not to reveal its sources, even threatens journalists whose investigations have no connection at all with terrorism.

Freelance journalist and blogger Josh Wolf was imprisoned when he refused to hand over his video archives. Sudanese cameraman Sami al-Haj, who works for the pan-Arab broadcaster Al-Jazeera, has been held without trial since June 2002 at the US military base at Guantanamo, and Associated Press photographer Bilal Hussein has been held by US authorities in Iraq since April this year.

France (35th) slipped five places during the past year, to make a loss of 24 places in five years. The increase in searches of media offices and journalists’ homes is very worrying for media organisations and trade unions. Autumn 2005 was an especially bad time for French journalists, several of whom were physically attacked or threatened during a trade union dispute involving privatisation of the Corsican firm SNCM and during violent demonstrations in French city suburbs in November.

Rising nationalism and the system of exclusive press clubs (kishas) threatened democratic gains in Japan, which fell 14 places to 51st. The newspaper Nihon Keizai was firebombed and several journalists phsyically attacked by far-right activists (uyoku).

I Had Still Have This...

Harvest for Art: because younglings should be painting, not having cybersex with elected officials

Harvest for Art 2006
On Saturday, October 14, 2006, South City Open Studio and Gallery (SCOSAG) will host its annual fund raiser, Harvest for Art at nationally known artist Gail Cassilly's home and studio in Lafayette Square. The event will showcase four SCOSAG / WALL BALL artists painting with four SCOSAG students only to have their work up for grabs at the end of the night. Guests will be encouraged to nosh on appetizers and sip delicious drinks. Harvest for Art will also include a lively silent auction and festive music.

The event benefits the South City Open Studio and Gallery for Children and Potter's Workshop in Forest Park Southeast: www.SCOSAG.org

7:00 pm. to 11:00 pm.

Tickets are $30 and you can purchase them with cash, check (payable to SCOSAG), Mastercard or Visa. There are two easy ways to get your tickets today: Stop by The Royale Food & Spirits located at 3132 S. Kingshighway at Arsenal. Phone 314-772-3600. OR Contact Catherine Cathers at e-mail: catherine_cathers@yahoo.com or phone 314-780-2200.

Who's painting?

SCOSAG teachers!
Jason Wallace Triefenbach and SCOSAG student Justice Binder
Carmelita Nunez and SCOSAG student Alison Gill

WALL BALL artists!
C'babi Bayoc and his daughter Jurni Moon Bayoc
Sarah Giannobile and SCOSAG student Nicholas Feltz

Who are your hosts?
Bill Appleton, Harper Barnes, Jenna Bauer, Irving Blue, Patricia Boman, Gail Cassilly, Catherine Cathers, Jamie Cendroski, Jan Clinite, Lisette Dennis, Bill and Jane Donahue, Jeff Edwards, Tom Finkel, Scott and Ashley Gill, Rhonda Holt, Elizabeth Hyser, Barbara James, Brandyn Jones, Dianna Lucas, Rachel McCalla, Terry Moore, Chip and Cara Schloss, Ron and Christy Silverman, Steven Fitzpatrick Smith, Karen Tedesco, and Roseann Weiss.