Whatever criticism one might level against the US press (and don't hold back, it's all been said) I think we have a healthy media that has remained independent from the government, is demanding in its search for the truth, yet has enough self-restraint not to jeopardize national security. Not sure many would agree with this former reporter in that assessment (perhaps not even some of my PFF colleagues) but I've been reaffirmed in this belief after spending the day discussing the topic with a class of diplomatic spouses and diplomatic officials from countries such as Belarus, China and Turkey. I'll even take our system over the UK, which was also represented in the discussion. You can read more about it here.