Tuesday, March 01, 2005

Pot meet Kettle

In Russian Media, Free Speech for a Select Few

By Peter Baker
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, February 25, 2005; Page A18

If President Bush thought he would receive support from Russian reporters when he raised the cause of free speech, he did not know much about the Kremlin press pool.

"What is this lack of freedom all about?" one Russian reporter challenged Bush during his joint news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday. "Our regional and national media often criticize government institutions."

Bush seemed surprised. "Obviously, if you're a member of the Russian press, you feel like the press is free," he replied. "You feel that way? That's good." Bush added, "That is a pretty interesting observation for those of us who don't live in Russia to listen to."
  WaPo article

The reporter goes on to besmirch the Kremlin press' lack of freedom in what is an uncanny description of the White House press. It boggles the mind to think that Peter Baker couldn't see what he was writing. Billmon takes it to task.

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