How is the system working when clearly the newspaper is in a desperate search now for equipment to be able to stay in business after theirs got taken by the police? Don’t you think that is somewhat chilling of free speech?
What would be evidence of the system not working in your opinion? The editor washing up with a bullet in their head? All the journalist sentenced to 20 years of hard labour on the private farm of the police chief?
The system is clearly not working.
The fact we can read about this is evidence that it is working. Evidence that it is not working would be hard to come by because we wouldn't be able to read about it!
This is like saying we've cured cancer because you got a biopsy.
Literally the most idiotic thing I've heard on this website.
It's possible to assume that the system works if you assume that this is also the only time this has happened. How many times have corrupt cops such as these used the force of the state to silence their detractors and gotten away with it?
You tell me? What does the evidence say?
That is to say, you're confused. Corruption is the usual thing a small American city. A paper reporting when it gets out-of-hand is unusual. Cops screwing with the paper or anyone who reports their dirty dealings is normal. Cops getting flack when they do this happens but often they just get away it. Even when the cops get flack in the press, they usually come out OK in the long run. Even a paper gets a lot support and congratulations in the short, they often wind-up screwed in the long run.
And sure, a raid is kind of a crude reaction. Local corrupt officially usually have a more subtle way to send a message. Perhaps the local cops felt a need to make their point strongly.