Editor & Publisher just wrapped up the arrest count of journalists in MN, just like the MN police wrapped up free speech. 19 journalists in total were arrested throughout the week, including the four we mentioned on Tuesday.

I won’t say much on this to avoid partisan commentary, but I feel it is necessary to say something about this as an American citizen and as a citizen of the world. This video, shown during the Republican National Convention, made me sick to my stomach. I have included it below, not because I think it should be shown again, but because I think it is important that we not allow this sort of exploitation to continue to occur.

This post relates to MediaSlackers.com for two reasons: One, the video reminds me of a FOX News promo and two, because out of all the broadcasts that I have watched, Keith Olbermann’s was the most American reaction possible and one to be applauded; for once as a journalist and not just a commentator. Tom Brokaw said a couple of things at the end by recommending a path to follow for either the McCain campaign or the Obama campaign (I can’t remember which, not believing what I had just seen), but Olbermann actually stated, in his few words at the end of the video, what needed to be said: The death of our citizens both at home and abroad should not be used for political gain by either side of the aisle and it is a disgusting and reprehensible thing to do so. And if MSNBC or ANY other network had shown as much footage of 9/11 as the RNC showed, they would and should be vilified appropriately.