Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
U.S. Media Blames Santa Monica College Professor for Burma Web Blackout
()
This afternoon, a news story attributed to Hollywood Reporter claimed: "L.A. professor triggers Myanmar Web shutdown." We're all too used to the sensationalist tendencies of today's media, but this headline is completely unfair and potentially devastating for Ryan McMillen, professor of English at Santa Monica College (or as the accuse-then-verify media reported, "professor of history").
The story isn't on the Hollywood Reporter Web site but it is credited as such by Reuters, WashingtonPost.com, and -- Holy Broken News -- it's the most viewed story on Yahoo!.
McMillen is probably not the best professor in SMC's English department. He's certainly not the easiest, however he is among the hottest according to RateMyProfessors.com.
Support for LAist comes from
Why are these major news outlets using McMillen as a scapegoat for their incompetent coverage and inability to educate their audience?
McMillen received a video of last week's killing of Japanese journalist Kenji Nagai. The Myanmar dictatorship claimed responsibility for Nagai's murder at point-blank range.
In an attempt to shed light on the 19-year Burma/Myanmar dictatorship's suffocation of freedom and killing of civilians, he forwarded the clip to CNN I-Report. Since -- at least according to the American Media -- the U.S. is the center of the world, McMillen's submission of the video led directly to the Myanmar dictatorship's shutting down of the Internet.
Read the headline again. An "LA Professor" -- not a fascist dictatorship -- charged with breaking the Internet? By the Hollywood Reporter?!?
Prof. McMillen is granted one quote -- albeit buried -- in which his predilection for evil shines through:
"The feeling of being just the conduit for a video of this power and importance -- a video which so starkly shows the depravity to which men will sink when compelled by a fascist state to follow orders -- was, truthfully, a feeling of power in itself."
To the gallows! Next, a Fox News special report: Why citizen journalism is the world's biggest threat to our freedoms.
Support for LAist comes from
The video:
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist