Protesters Interrupt US Sec of State Antony Blinken At World Press Freedom Day Event: Julian Assange
Channel: Mark Taylor-Canfield
Date: 03/05/2023

Protesters demanding the release of Julian Assange interrupted Us Secreatary of State Antony Blinken at the World Press Freedom Day event where Reporters Without Borders announced their new rankings for the World Press Freedom Index. RWB announced that the USA is ranked 45th in the world in terms of press freedom, dropping three places from their ranking in 2022. Protesters say press freedom is violated by the US government's attempts to prosecute whistle blowers who leak information vital to the public interest, including Julian Assange. 

According to Reporters Without Borders, "...many of the underlying, chronic issues impacting US journalists remain unaddressed by the authorities – including the disappearance of local news, the polarization of the media or the weakening of journalism and democracy caused by digital platforms and social networks."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/2023/05/03/secretary-state-antony-blinken-top-journalists-global-press-freedom/

MTC predicted that Blinken would not mention the USA's steady drop in the rankings because government officials and the press refuse to address this issue. Mark has lobbied members of Congress and major media in an attempt to pressure them into covering the story but except for his talk show host friends Thom Hartmann and Jeff Santos no one has been willing to confront the issue or hold the FCC accountable for allowing corporate media monopolies who dominate the US news industry. 

MTC testified before the FCC on this issue and exposed the fact that the FCC had allegedly suppressed its own research on the negative effects of corporate media ownership consolidation. iHeart Media owns 855 radio stations and Fox has 227 affiliated TV stations.      

MTC's article on alleged suppression of research by FCC:
https://truthout.org/articles/fcc-suppressed-its-own-reports-on-corporate-media-consolidation/

Senator Barbara Boxer's efforts to hold the FCC accountable:
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14897128

MTC claims US media will not report on the declining USA ranking on the World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders: https://rsf.org/en/index

MTC is an advocate for press freedom and serves as Executive Director for Democracy Watch News. He has briefed members of the US Congress on challenges to press freedom, and Mark has participated in international conferences on democracy and freedom of the press.  

MTC's April Fools Day Article At The Seattle Star:
"US Banned From Summit For Democracy"
https://www.seattlestar.net/2023/04/us-banned-from-summit-on-democracy/

MTC is sometimes referred to as the "Rock and Roll Journalist". He also performs original rock music with his band in Seattle. 

Mark's music video "Mother Freedom" dedicated to people struggling for freedom & justice around the world: https://youtu.be/PkJ1NJ9wDmo

Mark Taylor-Canfield's music is available on Spotify and all major music download sites.  

Check out the Jeff Santos Show Mon - Fri noon to 1 PM PT for his intelligent, well informed talk show! 
MTC is his guest every Friday talking #music, #culture, #media and #politics. 
https://jeffsantosshow.net
Available live and on demand on #radio, #TV, #Facebook, #YouTube, #Tumblr, & #Twitch.

MTC's song "Down The River" is available for download on Spotify, iTunes, Pandora, etc. 

Jeff Santos Show is broadcasting nationally from Boston. Listen live Mon -Fri 3 - 6 PM ET or on demand at https://revolutionradionetwork.com  

Mark is a former writer at Huffington Post and serves as Executive Director for Democracy Watch News.

MTC Blog: https://mtcbog.blogspot.com/

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