Information Warfare: December 27, 2002

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Information War is often fought to the death, particularly when it comes to dealing with media reports criminal organizations don't agree with. It's been a rough year for journalists, with 67 reporters and support staff killed while on assignment. The most dangerous nations were Colombia, Russia and Pakistan as the most dangerous places for reporters and media writers. Publishing information that outlaw organizations don't like is the most common cause of death. In Colombia it's drug cartels, in Russia it's gangsters and corrupt politicians and in Pakistan it's Islamic radicals. Corruption and radicalism was also the cause of journalists getting murdered in Bangladesh, Bolivia, Mexico, Brazil and the Philippines. Many other nations, particularly China, shut down unwanted views via the local legal system, arresting and sometimes imprisoning journalists who publish views the government doesnt agree with. Whether it's jail or murder, the message gets across. Many more journalists just quietly avoid stories that could get them into trouble, or dead. Foreign journalists and wire service reporters often continue reporting the dangerous stories, but not as accurately, thoroughly or persistently as locals. Bombs, bullets and arrest warrants are also Information War weapons.

 

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