Cross border solidarity in journalist protection and the American paradox

United States governments (including those of states) have a paradoxical record in facilitating press protection. The US, with its middle-eastern allies, imprisoned and killed more media workers than any other nation from 1999 to 2007 but there were few effective collaborative responses from the news industry and considerable media commentary undermining efforts toward accountability. Since then, the encouragement of violence against media, and high profile confinements of journalists, have been domesticated, bringing the struggle for media freedom home to US media as never before. But the US has simultaneously invested heavily in media protection and speech rights outside its borders, and is home to globally prominent press defenders. This chapter examines how an internal industry discourse of ‘worthy’ and ‘unworthy’ reporters and the politicization of news production has derailed cross-border solidarity and collaboration among journalists and advocacy groups in the context of this ‘American paradox’.