We are entering a phase of our history when wrong is touted as right, bad as good, and tyranny masquerades as “the public good.” Journalism, in particular, is suffering mightily.

That is to say, independent journalism. If you are a paid hack disguised as a reporter working for a so-called “mainstream” outlet, you’re fine – as long as you toe the official government line. But anyone unaffiliated with corporate media can, and will, be targeted for retribution by governmental powers that be.

Take the case of Amy Goodman, a host and executive producer for Democracy Now!, an independent global news agency. After taking a team to cover Native American-led protests against the Dakota Access pipeline under construction in North Dakota, she was charged with criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor, and a warrant for her arrest was issued by authorities in Morton County.

On Sept. 3, the news agency reported on its web site, the Democracy Now! team filmed security guards who work for the pipeline company as they used dogs and pepper spray to allegedly attack protesters. The report went viral online, rebroadcast on several mainstream news outlets including CBS, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, and others.

“This is an unacceptable violation of freedom of the press,” said Goodman in a statement. “I was doing my job by covering pipeline guards unleashing dogs and pepper spray on Native American protesters.”

Goodman acknowledged that she has received the warrant, as reported by Anonymous. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.

The Anonymous site also reported that Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein attended the protest as well, painting “I approve this message” on one of the bulldozers, which also drew an arrest warrant for criminal trespassing and criminal mischief.

Currently lawyers representing various U.S. and Canadian Native American tribes are attempting to get the pipeline project killed in court. If it is built at a cost of about $3.8 billion, it would transport 500,000 of crude oil per day from North Dakota’s Bakken oil field to Illinois, where it would meet up with an existing pipeline that would carry the oil to Texas refineries.

Goodman isn’t the only independent journalist who has been targeted by law enforcement. Pete Santilli, an independent radio host and journalist from Cincinnati, was arrested by federal authorities and charged with conspiracy in connection with his reporting on the occupation of an Oregon wildlife refuge in January, though NewsTarget reported recently that federal prosecutors had decided to drop charges against Santilli for his Oregon reporting.

Now, however, he will now be extradited to Nevada to face charges in connection with Cliven Bundy’s standoff with federal agents from the Bureau of Land Management in April 2014. This, despite the fact that he was one of the primary voices of calm and reason, calling for peace and urging non violence.

Sources:

DemocracyNow.org

DemocracyNow.org

AnonHQ.com

TheGuardian.com

NewsTarget.com