It's Monday, April 3, 2023.

I'm Albert Moller, and this is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from

a Christian worldview.

Reporters and little children evidently two categories of people that repressive governments

can't stand.

And in this case, the lead in our consideration has to be the repressive government of Vladimir

Putin, and we are talking about the fact that just in the last few days, Vladimir Putin

is a major western reporter, and has sought to arrest and to punish the father of a young

girl who dared to draw a picture that criticized the current Russian leadership.

Now when you're looking at this, you recognize that a totalitarian regime reveals itself

not only by its repression, but by its paranoia.

This will deal with the reporter, the reporter is Evan Gerskovich, of the Wall Street Journal

who was arrested on Thursday and charged with espionage.

David Bouter of the Associated Press summarizes the story this way, quote, the arrest of a

Wall Street Journal reporter on espionage charges in Russia has news organizations based

outside the country weighing for the second time in a year, whether the risks of reporting

there during wartime are too great.

And in this case, the reporter is Evan Gerskovich of the Wall Street Journal, and as the

AP says, he was taken into custody by Russian security officials and accused of spying charges

the newspaper vehemently denies.

End quote.

Now those who have a memory of the Cold War know that this is exactly what took place

...