This didn't get much attention and largely slipped through the cracks, but I found it notable.
Last week, Jessikka Aro, a Finnish investigative journalist, was told by the U.S. State Department that she would be receiving the highly-regarded International Women of Courage Award, which would be presented to her by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Ms. Aro's credentials are significant, among other things facing death threats over exposing Russia's propaganda efforts well-before it came to light with the 2016 presidential elections. Then there was a slight hiccup. The department read Jessikka Aro's social media posts and -- in addition to taking on the Russian government in her professional work-- it turns out that personally she often said things critical of Trump. Not long after, and I'm sure this is just pure coincidence, the State Department took back the award. Their explanation is that the original announcement was just a "regrettable error." A U.S. diplomatic source who was aware of the department discussions said, “It created a shitstorm of getting her unceremoniously kicked off the list. I think it was absolutely the wrong decision on so many levels,” adding that decision “had nothing to do with her work.” According to ForeignPolicy.com, "The State Department spokesperson said in an email that Aro was 'incorrectly notified' that she had been chosen for the award and that it was a mistake that resulted from 'a lack of coordination in communications with candidates and our embassies.'” The spokesperson added, “We regret this error. We admire Ms. Aro’s achievements as a journalist, which were the basis of U.S. Embassy Helsinki’s nomination." So, let's get this straight -- the U.S. State Department admires Jessikka Aro's achievements as a journalist," informed her that she was going to be given an award for her courage, then read her social media posts critical of Trump, and somehow made a "regrettable error" and "incorrectly notified" her about it. I'm still trying to figure out how one incorrectly notifies someone so accomplished and courageous about an award under any condition. But especially when the department says they actually admire her achievements. With no explanation of what this lack of communication was, that made the error so regrettable. Hey, maybe it actually was just a regrettable error of an incorrect notification where an admired and courageous journalist wasn't supposed to get an award for courage in admirable journalism.. Or... The Trump administration is just so reprehensibly thin-skinned because of the pathological ego at the top that the concept of "courage" is anathema to them all and the Second Amendment is the only one they care about, but most-especially not the first about a free press without government interference, and after reading critical comments by the otherwise-admired journalist they were terrified, or just offended at being criticized by a courageous reporter, and backed out. To be clear, as shameful, pathetic and problematic as it is -- as government precedent and just on general principle -- this is not a First Amendment issue. But you can see it from here... The entire ForeignPolicy.com article by Reid Standish and Robbie Gramer can be found here.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
Categories
All
|
© Copyright Robert J. Elisberg 2024
|