When The Press Is Denied, Democracy Loses It"s Heart And Soul
One Presidential news conference since Donald Trump took office.
Press briefings that are littered with, not only lies, but denials and deflections.
Reporters being banned from the White House for asking questions that were uncomfortable for the President.
Branding the major news sources as "fake news", while spinning the ever changing Trump line on the loyalist Fox network.
Deflection, denial, and over 3000 documented lies from the President himself.
Presidential rhetoric at rallies encouraging "supporters" to attack those in the "fake news".
These statements are each, of themselves, chilling, and totally un-American. This is not to say that all of our prior presidents haven't had their difficulties with the press. Part of the role of the fifth estate is to monitor and appropriately criticize our government. They are the window that the American people have into the workings of the executive branch of our government. Frequently they are a thorn in the side of presidents, but they have always been recognized as a necessary thorn.
This, however, is a different time. The grumbling coming from the White House is not the typical moaning and groaning we hear from presidents and their staff. It is not "....the press isn't being fair to me." or ".....as usual the news media has misinterpreted our intent." No, it has morphed into something much more insidious and dangerous. We hear, "...….the msm is part of the deep state who wants to subvert our government." or " you can't trust anything the fake news says. They are acting in collusion to take down this government."
We are in an age where the President will not be interviewed by anyone but a crony who will throw underhand softballs at him and not follow up on any major issue. We even see that lack of follow-up in White House press briefings when Sarah Sanders undeftly switches topics when pressed for follow ups.
It is interesting to see this White House, who screams loudly about the intent of the founding fathers, conveniently forgetting about the necessity of a vibrant and active fifth estate. Benjamin Franklin was one of the great supporters of a free and open press. This administration should be taking a lesson from him.
Our nation must support a free and open news media, whether mainstream or alternative. The truth that they put force may be interpreted differently, but the American people have always been able to separate the wheat from the chafe. Conservatives may not like the New York Times or Rachel Maddow and Liberals may not like Sean Hannity or Alex Jones, but they have the right to report. Adults could determine who is telling the truth. We've all heard the saying, "the truth shall set you free"......we should also paraphrase it to "all the news will keep us free".
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Our country is less secure when the press is belittled. We require knowledge to be able to make decisions about where this nation should go politically.
Since when is any aspect of the United States not allowed to be criticized? Maybe that is the problem we are seeing? These folks have set themselves so high above mere citizens that they don't allow criticism from the great unwashed hoardes......and yet, they seem to prove themselves as less than trustworthy when they are willing to report on unverified stories, becuase they fit the agenda.
During the press conference today Huckabee refused to say that the press wasn't the enemy of the American people.
Unless you see and read both sides of the issue, how can one make up their mind on whether to support or not support a piece of legislation? Doesn't an unfettered press allow that?
Given that Trump is constitutionally illiterate it's not surprising that he sees the press as an "enemy of America", despite the fact that it's the sole institution whose rights are guaranteed by the constitution.
It's undoubtedly a problem.
But it's not only an unfettered press...but an unbiased press that allows democracy to flourish. When major news outlets display frequent and obvious bias people aren't getting both sides of the issues anyway.
“If men are to be precluded from offering their sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences that can invite the consideration of mankind, reason is of no use to us; the freedom of speech may be taken away, and dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep, to the slaughter.”
— George Washington
“Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.”
— Thomas Jefferson,
“Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”
— Thomas Jefferson
“Freedom of speech is a principal pillar of a free government: When this support is taken away, the constitution of a free society is dissolved, and tyranny is erected on its ruins. Republics and limited monarchies derive their strength and vigor from a popular examination into the action of the magistrates.”
— Benjamin Franklin
It’s nice to see some support for Alex Jones let’s hope he wins his court case. They are definitely trying to silence him. A lot less purple ink and censorship around here would be nice too. Some of the content from sites like Infowars is now banned on this site. Facebook is also now censoring content to favor their political views. We also see it on Google’s search algorithms.
Alex Jones is a conspiracy nut that doesn't even believe in his own conspiracy theories. He has even used that defense in court cases where he has argued that he is an entertainer and throws his junk out for the entertainment of his audience. He knows that what he spews is crap.
Given that, he has every right to say whatever he wants as long as he does not incite to violence or commit other crimes against the government. Censorship is wrong on both sides. Free speech is only free speech if it is free for everyone. I would hope that the Alex Jones of the world as well as the Q conspiracy theorists are heard and laughed at for the sheer stupidity of their rhetoric.
Yes we know he is an entertainer just like The Daily show it is not meant to be taken seriously.
do you take guy opening fire on a DC pizzahop seriously ?
Well it really says something when Trevor Noah gives actual facts along with his commentary - unlike Fux 'news'
Ever heard of satire?
Do you understand what satire is?
he heard the hot air come out
ass he sat on a tire,
if only I could comprehend sar casm
Yes he will seriously pay for his crime not anyone other than the actual perpetrator of the crime. He received a four year sentence for his crime.
N what or who would or do you accredit his motivation to or who ?
The Daily Show is presented as comedy, they laugh not only at the actual events occurring in the white house and in politics, but at themselves as well. Alex Jones presents himself and his show as serious, a watchdog protecting Americans from contrails, fluoride in our water, vaccinations, Pizza parlor sex rings, DNC staffers being assassinated by Hillary and other right wing conspiracy theories.
If you were to do a comparison I suppose it would be more like the old Colbert Report where Stephen Colbert pretended to be an extreme right wing pundit, but even that was done tongue in cheek. But even with the Colbert Report many conservatives were fooled into believing he was an actual conservative because they are just that dense. If they couldn't tell Colbert was joking, they'll certainly not think Alex Jones is "just kidding" and shouldn't be taken seriously.
" conservatives were more likely to report that Colbert only pretends to be joking and genuinely meant what he said while liberals were more likely to report that Colbert used satire and was not serious when offering political statements ."
I can’t speculate on that and it makes no difference. The bottom line is he alone committed and crime and he alone will pay the price.
LOL. He deserves whatever he gets for trying to harm those families.
When the press is biased, democracy loses its heart and soul (and the press loses its credibility).
It was and It has
When the press gets out of the "Opinion" business as their main "Go To"...… Creditability, Civility and a Democracy will return.
Everyone should know something is wrong, when MSM creates a "Fact Check" arm for their own reporting.
Do THEY not report correctly in the first place ?
One reason for that is because now anyone can start a blog and call it news.
Pretty much. Kinda sad that the "News" is doing the same, and calling it news.
All reputable news outlets have fact checkers. Duh!
Trump hates the press because they report the ridiculous shit that trump says. Trump lies constantly and he hates being called out for lying but instead of actually telling the truth from time to time, he just blames the media.
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I think by now, most people have figured out that fake news is anything that trump doesnt like or makes him look bad.
Over 4300 documented lies by the President......it is mindboggling. If it was up to the right wing "real" news that our President seems to love, you would think he was George Washington and could never tell a lie. The reality is it is only the "fake" news that provides the public with the real facts. The president is a pathological liar and it is critical that the media report those lies on a daily basis.
No matter what is reported, some will call bias if it does not fit their agenda.
Hell, when it is reported on when trump says something stupid (which is daily) people call the press bias against him. Just for reporting what he actually said.
I will say that most cable news is opinion programming, though most people get their news from their local stations.
Having the president constantly attack news outlets (while having an intimate relationship with one) leads to only more discord and animosity, as well as helps give rise to conspiracy theorists. His rally's are now full of the Q conspiracy quacks. His followers gleefully shout down and threaten news outlets.
There was even an incident in Detroit where a local news station was attacked. They were doing a live report on a hit and run when a man came up to them and starting yelling profanities, then started hitting their van with some kind of club. Smashed in their windshield.