Asmus Freytag (c) <[email protected]>: > > The central concern of the FAZ article appears to be the role that private > entities play as gate-keepers of modern communication. That's actually a > valid concern (…). The fact that fine distinctions of a technical nature may > have been handled with less precision than insiders would prefer, is perhaps > sloppy, but pretty typical for journalism in general.
Exactly. Anybody who becomes aware of being considered a gatekeeper (i.e. a mild version of a ‘censor’) by the general public should not react by dismissal but reflection! The FAZ is generally considered conservative by German/European standards, but would still be considered rather liberal in the US. Be assured that it takes a rather restrictive stand when it comes to *actual* gun control (at least by international standards). Within the spectrum of traditional German newspapers, it usually is quite on the pro side of capitalism and trans-Atlantic friendship (i.e. its policy is not “anti-American”). The fear of being controlled or restricted by big (US-based) corporations or faceless bureaucrats, however, is shared by many left and right-wing authors. The state itself – unlike in “1984” or NRA propaganda – is generally not seen as the enemy in German media. The reference to Orwell’s dystopia was hence badly chosen, but it is probably the one best known – besides “Brave New World” – among the readership.
