Yesterday marked Press Freedom Day and The Obama Foundation would appreciate it if nobody remembered what happened roughly between 2009 and 2016:
This World Press Freedom Day, take a look at @BarackObama's remarks at the @ColumbiaJourn Faultlines: Democracy conference, and why the free press is vital for democracy to survive and thrive. pic.twitter.com/k7UHOsvWkh
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) May 3, 2023
Yes, the former president notorious for the “if you like your plan/doctor you can keep it” lie of the year and many others is lecturing about “widespread misinformation.” You can’t make this stuff up.
Journalists have always been on the front lines of the struggle for democracy. That’s why we need to keep standing up for the rights of journalists around the world. Grateful that we have @ColumbiaJourn and people like Jelani Cobb taking on this important work. https://t.co/XEPoe17DCG
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 3, 2023
Really?
I mentioned the irony to James Rosen who gave it a retweet:
And there were other journos targeted during the Obama presidency:
Remember when you set the record for denying the most FOIA requests? Or when you tried banning FNC from the press pool? Or when you conducted surveillance on @JamesRosenTV, the NYT's James Risen, & 20 AP reporters for the crime of reporting accurate information?
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) May 3, 2023
Sharyl Attkisson would no doubt like a word as well.
As President, Barack Obama had authorized the arrest and prosecution of more journalists and whistleblowers than any president past and present in our nations history. https://t.co/5SfwkmmMBy
— Adam Fitzgerald (@_AdamFitzgerald) May 4, 2023
The man who prosecuted more journalists and whistleblowers than all previous presidents combined wants to lecture us about the importance of press freedom. https://t.co/wwnxd0yEPy
— sarah (@sahouraxo) May 4, 2023
We’ve all come to expect that kind of thing from Obama.
Didn’t @JoeBiden just send @IRS agents to a home of a journalist to intimidate him while he testified on the hill? I know you are the 3rd term president right now, so this is how democracy works? I’m confused… 🤦🏽♀️ https://t.co/gmsoEXsTdT
— YogaPants💅🏽 (@YogaPantsChik) May 4, 2023
Yep, Team Biden clearly learned a few things from the former boss.
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Related:
Barack Obama emphasizes the importance of preserving abortion ‘for generations to come’
George W. Bush and Barack Obama planning to hold conferences on ‘disinformation’
MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace wonders if Barack Obama should form a team to man a ‘democracy hotline’
