To group the US in with the likes of N. Korea and China is dishonest and inaccurate. If the US were run by either of those governments, you would not have Jon Oliver, Washington Post, etc. exposing and criticizing the very issues you mention.
select from countries group by police_score;
select from countries group by freedom_of_press_index;
People are responding to your exact comment, not guessing what you might be thinking.
I do acknowledge the issues raised by OP; my quote: "...exposing and criticizing the very issues you mention."
I read the original comment as a generalization that the US is grouped in with those other countries due to these issues. My reply was simply to refute that primarily on the fact that we have the ability to discuss and solve these issues that those other countries do not have. It is an important distinction in my opinion.
Maybe I misread the intent - it appears from some of the fiery responses I've received that may be true. :(