Freedom of the press and Canada

Rob Gaudet is critical of the list of countries according to their press freedom prepared by Reporters Without Borders: "How is this list assembled? what are the factors taken into account? Why is Canada's place well justified on that list? I just came from Norway and it did not strike me as a strong harbor of free speech. in fact, many of the people I met were easily offended by contrary ideas or critical thoughts. I can't see how it would place above the USA in terms of press freedom".

RH. These are all valid questions. I assume Reporters Without Borders has a website where the criteria are explained. I believe it is a group or responsible journalists accustomed to the standards of accurate reporting. As for Norway, I was surprised that Sweden was not among the top group. As for some Norwegians "easily offended by contrary ideas or critical thoughts", that is true of most people and has little to do with freedom of the press. WAISers are the notable exception to this universal shortcoming. Canadians are offended that Americans reject praise they think they deserve.

Freedom of the press has been greater in the US than in England, where there is an Official Secrets Act. In the US, conservative Congressmen tried to pass a similar law, but President Clinton vetoed it. He could have used it to keep his own secrets, but that would have been bad for the mass circulation which is the lifeblood of the press.

Ronald Hilton - 10/27/02