We noted with interest this morning a story in the New York Times that told of a blogger in Vietnam who was sentenced to seven years in prison for reporting on a toxic waste spill. The spill sickened residents and killed marine life, according to The Times, along a 120-mile stretch of Vietnam’s coastline. A spokesperson for Human Rights Watch in Asia told the newspaper the verdict which shows the government’s paranoid desire to maintain political control:
“How else can one explain that executives of an international firm that poisoned the ocean, ruining the coastal economy in four provinces, are free to go about their business while this idealistic young journalist is heading to prison for helping expose their misdeeds?”
Indeed. But that is often the case in countries around the world that don’t enjoy the same press freedoms we do. Vietnam is a prime example. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, “Government officials in Vietnam meet weekly with editors to give coverage instructions. Reporting on sensitive topics such as relations with China can result in arrest and imprisonment.”
And our minds immediately thought of Donald Trump, and what if? What if the master showman and deacon of deception could lock up journalists who reported stories he didn’t like? It’s a very scary thought for our country. Hardly a day goes by that Trump doesn’t malign the press, that is everyone but his pet, Fox News. Is it working? A recent Reuters-Ipsos poll says no. The perception of the press is actually going up. Trump’s attacks are having the opposite effect he intends. Which is interesting because when presidents speak, public opinion usually follows. But not with the polarizer in chief.