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Freedom of speech and the National Press Club
The Washington Examiner reports that the National Press Club cancelled an appearance by Venezuelan Students Abroad, who wished to speak on human rights abuses in their country, after the Venezuelan Embassy objected.
Always nice to see how seriously the press takes freedom of speech. It's unclear whether the principle involved is (a) you may only address human rights abuses if the abuser has no objection, or (b) you may only criticize human rights abuses if the abuser is not on the political left.
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Comments
Can someone provide the point of contact at the National Press Club where complaints about this should be directed? I'm sure one of the things these Venezuelan students were going to discuss is Chavez' silencing of the Venezuelan press and broadcast media....It really chaps my chitlins that our "we know best" press wouldn't even give them the time of day when the two-bit tinhorn dicktator is destroying freedom of the very press and media they use here to further his cause.
Posted by: Doug in Colorado at July 2, 2007 02:09 PM
The problem probably was that the students wanted time that conflicted with the talks by Castro and Chevez scheduled for that day.
Posted by: emdfl at July 2, 2007 05:14 PM
"The problem probably was that the students wanted time that conflicted with the talks by Castro and Chevez scheduled for that day."
The NPC spokesperson never mentioned any such conflict in his statement as to why the event was canceled, nor is there's nothing like that listed on their schedule for that day. If someone was concerned about conflicts with events taking place somewhere other than at the NPC, they seem to have missed several other events listed for the same time.
It seems that the NPC has lost any sense of irony it might have had. Their calendar for that Friday contains the telling notation "Freedom of Expression/Cancelled"
Posted by: Ken at July 3, 2007 05:23 AM
I think you should look for more clarification on the facts before charging the club with stifling freedom of expression.
Posted by: Insider at July 3, 2007 06:35 AM
So tell us 'ol wise one...what are the facts?
Posted by: Dave at July 3, 2007 07:54 AM