The military is sharply curtailing the media at Guantamo Bay.

"Interviews with U.S. military personnel are being monitored by media escorts, who accompany journalists to most places on the base, including bathrooms and vending machines. The media also has been barred from speaking without authorization to civilians working on the base."

An Italian film crew had its room searched by the Naval Crimnal Investigation Service. Then they were forbidden to take pictures of the sea or go to the side of the base where the detainees are being held.

Remember the international outrage over the arrival of the initial detainees? We all saw pictures of them blindfolded by goggles, shackled and kneeling . To avoid a recurrance, pictures are now banned. And a large green screen has been installed so the journalists can't see the detainees, even from a distance. The military says this is to protect their rights under the Geneva Convention. Wait, haven't we been told repeatedly that the detainees are "unlawful combatants" not prisoners of war and therefore they are not entitled to the protections of the Geneva Convention?

Then there was this restriction: "Before a four-day media trip to cover Sept. 11 ceremonies on the remote U.S. base in eastern Cuba, American and foreign journalists were told they would be allowed to photograph services but were then barred from filming or taking pictures. The military said media coverage would “interfere with the spirituality of events.”

Reporters Without Borders is not pleased. After all, the First Amendment is one of those freedoms we are going to war to try and protect. Isn't it?

One more thing. There is room now for 612 detainees now, and 204 more cells are being built. But the administration is planning for 2,000 detainees. We think the world has a right to know what's going on down there. Journalists are our only eyes and ears. We hope they yell loudly about this.