Here's some testimonials for Russia's Interfax from a few noted supporters of press freedom!

Putin, if you'll recall, had this to say to a journalist pestering him in 2002 with questions about Chechnya:

''If you are determined to become a complete Islamic radical and are ready to undergo circumcision, then I invite you to Moscow. We are multi-confessional. We have experts in this sphere as well. I will recommend to conduct the operation so that nothing on you will grow again.''

Reporters sans frontieres put Russia at 140th out of 167 (there were a number of ties) on its 2007 World Press Freedom Index. China came in at 162.

Poland came in at a respectable 32. However, I included Kwasniewski because of his grudging "good news and bad news" comment.

Sigh. Why can't all news be good news? :^)