And they don't notice the irony?

While the US Department of State is quick in denying that it is applying any pressure on anyone to silence WikiLeaks (it's just pure coincidence that all these companies are cutting off funds and website), it was proud to announce that next May it will be hosting "UNESCO’s World Press Freedom Day event in 2011, from May 1 - May 3 in Washington, D.C". According to the press release, UNESCO is the only UN agency with the mandate to promote freedom of expression and its corollary, freedom of the press.

Guess what the theme will be? Well the rather wanky sounding '21st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers'. Without noticing the irony, it goes on to boast the following:

The United States places technology and innovation at the forefront of its diplomatic and development efforts. New media has empowered citizens around the world to report on their circumstances, express opinions on world events, and exchange information in environments sometimes hostile to such exercises of individuals’ right to freedom of expression. At the same time, we are concerned about the determination of some governments to censor and silence individuals, and to restrict the free flow of information. We mark events such as World Press Freedom Day in the context of our enduring commitment to support and expand press freedom and the free flow of information in this digital age.

Of course, an event like this can't go without some award ceremony. The UNESCO Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, decided by an 'independent' jury of international journalists, "honours a person, organization or institution that has notably contributed to the defence and/or promotion of press freedom, especially where risks have been undertaken". So then, will Julian Assange and WikiLeaks be in the running for that? I guess not. More likely someone in one of those 'bad' countries such as Cuba, China, Russia or Venezuela will get it - just look at the majority of its past recipients.

Rest assured, there's also a Facebook page for this event; however, comments on it are being 'moderated' (censored, in other words).

Crazy! This reminds me of the hypocrisy of countries such as the former USSR, or supposed democracies like Russia whose constitutions enshrine(d) the freedoms of speech, religion, protest, media, expression etc. when in practice they will apply pressure on those who pose a threat.