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Donald Trump is deploying at least four techniques historically used by demagogues to erode the freedom and independence of the press. (Screenshot: RobertReich.org)
Trump's Attack on the Freedom of the Press
Historically, tyrants have tried to control the press using 4 techniques that, worryingly, Donald Trump is already using.
1. Berate the media and turn the public against it. Trump refers to journalists as "dishonest," "disgusting" and "scum." When Trump lies - claiming, for example, "massive voter fraud" in the election, and that he "won in a landslide" - and the media call him on those lies, Trump claims the media is lying. Even televised satires he labels "unfunny, one-sided, and pathetic."
Dec 23, 2016
Historically, tyrants have tried to control the press using 4 techniques that, worryingly, Donald Trump is already using.
1. Berate the media and turn the public against it. Trump refers to journalists as "dishonest," "disgusting" and "scum." When Trump lies - claiming, for example, "massive voter fraud" in the election, and that he "won in a landslide" - and the media call him on those lies, Trump claims the media is lying. Even televised satires he labels "unfunny, one-sided, and pathetic."
2. Limit media access. Trump hasn't had a news conference since July. (His two predecessors had news conferences within days of being declared president.) He's blocked the media from traveling with him, and even from knowing with whom he's meeting. His phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which occurred shortly after the election, was first reported by the Kremlin.
3. Threaten the media. During the campaign, Trump threatened to sue the New York Times for libel in response to an article about two women who accused him of touching them inappropriately years ago, and then another that revealed part of his 1995 tax returns. He says he plans to "open up our libel laws so when they write purposely negative and horrible and false articles, we can sue them and win lots of money."
4. Bypass the media and communicate with the public directly. Trump tweets incessantly, issues videos, and holds large rallies - all of which further enable him to lie directly to the public with impunity.
The word "media" comes from "intermediate" between the powerful and the public. The media hold the powerful accountable by correcting their misstatements, asking them hard questions, and reporting on what they do. Apparently Trump wants to eliminate such intermediaries.
Historically, these 4 techniques have been used by demagogues to erode the freedom and independence of the press. Donald Trump seems intent on doing exactly this.
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Robert Reich
Robert Reich, is the Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley, and a senior fellow at the Blum Center for Developing Economies. He served as secretary of labor in the Clinton administration, for which Time magazine named him one of the 10 most effective cabinet secretaries of the twentieth century. His book include: "Aftershock" (2011), "The Work of Nations" (1992), "Beyond Outrage" (2012) and, "Saving Capitalism" (2016). He is also a founding editor of The American Prospect magazine, former chairman of Common Cause, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and co-creator of the award-winning documentary, "Inequality For All." Reich's newest book is "The Common Good" (2019). He's co-creator of the Netflix original documentary "Saving Capitalism," which is streaming now.
Historically, tyrants have tried to control the press using 4 techniques that, worryingly, Donald Trump is already using.
1. Berate the media and turn the public against it. Trump refers to journalists as "dishonest," "disgusting" and "scum." When Trump lies - claiming, for example, "massive voter fraud" in the election, and that he "won in a landslide" - and the media call him on those lies, Trump claims the media is lying. Even televised satires he labels "unfunny, one-sided, and pathetic."
2. Limit media access. Trump hasn't had a news conference since July. (His two predecessors had news conferences within days of being declared president.) He's blocked the media from traveling with him, and even from knowing with whom he's meeting. His phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which occurred shortly after the election, was first reported by the Kremlin.
3. Threaten the media. During the campaign, Trump threatened to sue the New York Times for libel in response to an article about two women who accused him of touching them inappropriately years ago, and then another that revealed part of his 1995 tax returns. He says he plans to "open up our libel laws so when they write purposely negative and horrible and false articles, we can sue them and win lots of money."
4. Bypass the media and communicate with the public directly. Trump tweets incessantly, issues videos, and holds large rallies - all of which further enable him to lie directly to the public with impunity.
The word "media" comes from "intermediate" between the powerful and the public. The media hold the powerful accountable by correcting their misstatements, asking them hard questions, and reporting on what they do. Apparently Trump wants to eliminate such intermediaries.
Historically, these 4 techniques have been used by demagogues to erode the freedom and independence of the press. Donald Trump seems intent on doing exactly this.
Robert Reich
Robert Reich, is the Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley, and a senior fellow at the Blum Center for Developing Economies. He served as secretary of labor in the Clinton administration, for which Time magazine named him one of the 10 most effective cabinet secretaries of the twentieth century. His book include: "Aftershock" (2011), "The Work of Nations" (1992), "Beyond Outrage" (2012) and, "Saving Capitalism" (2016). He is also a founding editor of The American Prospect magazine, former chairman of Common Cause, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and co-creator of the award-winning documentary, "Inequality For All." Reich's newest book is "The Common Good" (2019). He's co-creator of the Netflix original documentary "Saving Capitalism," which is streaming now.
Historically, tyrants have tried to control the press using 4 techniques that, worryingly, Donald Trump is already using.
1. Berate the media and turn the public against it. Trump refers to journalists as "dishonest," "disgusting" and "scum." When Trump lies - claiming, for example, "massive voter fraud" in the election, and that he "won in a landslide" - and the media call him on those lies, Trump claims the media is lying. Even televised satires he labels "unfunny, one-sided, and pathetic."
2. Limit media access. Trump hasn't had a news conference since July. (His two predecessors had news conferences within days of being declared president.) He's blocked the media from traveling with him, and even from knowing with whom he's meeting. His phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which occurred shortly after the election, was first reported by the Kremlin.
3. Threaten the media. During the campaign, Trump threatened to sue the New York Times for libel in response to an article about two women who accused him of touching them inappropriately years ago, and then another that revealed part of his 1995 tax returns. He says he plans to "open up our libel laws so when they write purposely negative and horrible and false articles, we can sue them and win lots of money."
4. Bypass the media and communicate with the public directly. Trump tweets incessantly, issues videos, and holds large rallies - all of which further enable him to lie directly to the public with impunity.
The word "media" comes from "intermediate" between the powerful and the public. The media hold the powerful accountable by correcting their misstatements, asking them hard questions, and reporting on what they do. Apparently Trump wants to eliminate such intermediaries.
Historically, these 4 techniques have been used by demagogues to erode the freedom and independence of the press. Donald Trump seems intent on doing exactly this.
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