1st AMENDMENT IN PUTIN-IZED AMERICA

Two items from Poynter:

St. Paul PiPress newsmen punished for attending concert

Minneapolis Star Tribune
Pioneer Press investigative reporters Chuck Laszewski and Rick Linsk were suspended for three days each after editors learned that they had attended a political concert featuring Bruce Springsteen and R.E.M. The Newspaper Guild is contesting the suspensions. A union rep says the reporters "read the memo (about political concerts), said 'It doesn't apply to me, I don't have a problem.'"

Sinclair fires newsman who blasted airing of anti-Kerry film

Baltimore Sun/Washington Post
Sinclair Broadcast Group D.C. bureau chief Jon Leiberman was fired Monday after criticizing the network's plans to air an anti-Kerry film before the election. "I just think it's a shame that a journalist gets fired for telling the truth," says Leiberman. Sinclair veep and right-wing editorialist Mark Hyman says: "Everyone is entitled to their personal opinion, including Jon Leiberman. We're disappointed that Jon's political views caused him to violate policy and speak to the press about company business." (Related WP story.)
"Company policy is that you do not speak to the media unless you have prior approval, but I feel so strongly that our credibility was at issue here," says Leiberman. "I don't think this is about being on the right or being on the left. I think it's about right and wrong in news." ("Paula Zahn Now")
Sinclair shares trade at all-time low on Wall Street (Philly Inquirer)
Film "has no upside, only multi-dimensional downside" for Sinclair (USAT)

I just think it's a shame that a journalist gets fired for telling the truth.