We (US), the "Land of the Free", formerly admired for government 'of, by and for the people' isn't doing so well in the global rankings. Our "Fourth Estate", that all-important 'check and balance' of free societies, has earned a very poor grade for 2014. Ranking 26th overall, we lost 14 points - an extreme margin of change that puts us in league only with Kenya, Kuwait, Zambia, Greece, Guinea, Paraguay, Central African, Mali, Guatemala and Chad.

We just celebrated Riley Sweeney for his work for our local "Fifth Estate".  During the event, many spoke to the necessity that citizens must do more of what media companies used to do.  Now we have proof.  The 'people's friend and tyrant's foe' seems to be slipping into a dangerous slumber. 

Citizens would be well advised to start waking up, in case our media outlets don't.  Some slopes are just way too slippery.