Into The Black Hole

Monsterandcritics.com
October 20, 2005
North Korea again finished bottom on the annual list of media freedom compiled by the watchdog group Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which was released Thursday in Paris.
Second and third from the bottom of the 167-nation list were Eritrea and Turkmenistan, which RSF described as 'black holes for news'.

'Journalists there simply relay government propaganda,' RSF said in the statement accompanying the list.

Guess that makes me a journalist by technicality.

'Anyone out of step is harshly dealt with. A word too many, a commentary that deviates from official line or a wrongly-spelled name and the author may be thrown in prison or draw then wrath of those in power.' In addition, RSF said, 'Harassment, psychological pressure, intimidation and round-the-clock surveillance are routine (in these countries).' East Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East are the regions where journalists have the greatest difficulty and 'where government repression or armed groups prevent the media from operating freely', RSF said. Among the Middle Eastern countries, Iran came 164th on the 167-nation list, Iraq ranked 157th and Afghanistan 125th. In East Asia, Burma came 163rd, China 159th and and Vietnam 158th.
That's one nasty list of shit. How can I be surprised North Korea is "#1"? The "crown of shit media" has rested in North Korea for a long time.