Taiwan (ROC)

[Мастер]

So US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is in Taiwan right now, something that has our friends over at Zhongnanhai - well, not happy.

She gave a speech, referring to Taiwan as one of the freest societies in the world. Here are some freedom indices.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_freedom_indices

Indeed, by two of the four indices, Taiwan ranks better than the US.

[Arneb]

Interesting table. I wonder what it is that has my own country downgraded to a "satisfactory", as opposed to a "good" situation re. Freedom of the Press.

[Мастер]

Interesting table. I wonder what it is that has my own country downgraded to a "satisfactory", as opposed to a "good" situation re. Freedom of the Press.

There is a link at the top of the table to a reference, which contains a link to the original source, which presumably would explain the criteria used, and possibly even have a country-by-country text assessment of what problems there may be. But for several hours now, I've been getting "Web server is down".

[Richard A]

Arneb, I see that Austria similarly ranks "satisfactory" for press freedom. Which makes me suggest that what pulls the score down is that in Germany, you can go to jail for publishing a statement that denies that the Holocaust happened (or, as a variant, says it was invented as Soviet propaganda). I do have one problem - but only one - with the German provision: I don't think the sentence is long enough. Germany provides for up to 5 years in jail; Austria provides for up to 20, which, given how dangerous, not merely offensive, Holocaust denial is, I think is a bit more like it.

[Arneb]

If it's that, I am indeed fine with it. Let's see what they tell us when their site goes up again.

America a "flawed democracy". A fair description in my book.

[Мастер]

Arneb, I see that Austria similarly ranks "satisfactory" for press freedom. Which makes me suggest that what pulls the score down is that in Germany, you can go to jail for publishing a statement that denies that the Holocaust happened (or, as a variant, says it was invented as Soviet propaganda).

This is the thought that occurred to me.

I will try again later to see whether that is the actual reason.

Whether this particular restriction on press freedom is a good idea or not is a whole other issue - even if you feel it is a good idea, it remains a restriction on press freedom, does it not?

The US ought to score well based on that issue. If you want to walk down the street wearing a Nazi uniform and expounding to any passers by your belief that Jews are inferior and should be exterminated, this is protected speech in the US. I think any points off the US has taken are probably related to the use of the Espionage Act and other “national security” measures.