The Media Versus…
On this day in 1776, less than a month before the celebrated Declaration of Independence, Virginia ratified their Declaration of Rights. The Virginia Declaration of Rights was a key foundational document for several reasons. Thomas Jefferson drew heavily from it drafting the Declaration of Independence. It was also the basis of the Bill of Rights. Unlike many similar documents, the Declaration of Rights not only listed rights of the people, but also specified the moral principles the government should be based on. The most unique thing about the Declaration of Rights though, was this was the first time the freedom of the press had been cited as a specific right. Freedom of the Press is a freedom important to the function of a free society. Because of it’s importance, we frequently see a media under attack by those opposed to freedom and transparency. It has become a media versus series.
The Media Versus The Trump Administration
On one side, we see frequent attacks on the media by President Trump and his administration. Perhaps the most consistent is the term “fake news” which he levies against anyone he disagrees with in that moment. The Justice Department has increased both investigations and prosecutions of journalists and their sources. The Border Patrol has more frequently questioned journalists and searched their property, including contents of their electronic devices. The Trump campaign has sued media organizations and President Trump has called for boycotts against them. Former White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham did not once hold a press briefing during her tenure as Press Secretary. Of course, the media hasn’t been spared from the name calling President Trump seems to relish either. He has declared those who publish “fake news” to be “enemies of the people”.
All of this seems to be a power play. In an interview, President Trump told CBS’ Leslie Stahl he “bashes the press to ‘demean’ and ‘discredit’ reporters so that the public will not believe ‘negative stories’ about him.”
The Media Versus Protestors
Protestors protesting the death of George Floyd, systematic racism, and the power of militarized police attacked CNN headquarters in Atlanta.
Fox News reporter Leland Vittert and his crew were driven our of Lafayette Park. They were covering protests right outside the White House. No stranger to dangerous situations, Mr Vittert reportedly said this was the scariest situation he had faced in years.
The Media Versus The Police
The media have also frequently been targets of violence and harassment by the police during the George Floyd Protests. In one of the more famous incidents, CNN’s Omar Jimenez was arrested in the middle of giving a report. When Mr Jimenez asked why he was being arrested, the reply was simply that they were “following orders”.
Linda Tirado, an independent journalist, was shot in the eye with a rubber bullet by police. As a result, she has likely permanently lost her vision in that eye. Several other reporters were also intentionally targeted and shot with rubber bullets.
The Media Versus Itself
In recent years, the line between reporting the news and giving commentary has blurred. So has the line between press and media. We often use the term media when we talk of the press, even though media also describes many other things. Entertainment and visual production parts of the media influence how the press does its job.
The older, “establishment” media is being replaced by online media, new media, guerilla media, and more. The press used to try to report unbiased facts. Now, reporting is a way to spread propaganda and attack opponents. Media is about influence and tribalism. Various media outlets “fact check” each other, and talk about how they are covering an issue.
The Continuing Role Of The Press
Despite bias and contention in the press and society, the press has an important role in society. The media helps people to know what is going on in the world around them. The press also plays an important role in government transparency aiding whistleblowers and exposing corruption. Our attitudes and opinions are influenced on who we get our information from, and how it is presented.
The press has evolved along with society and technology. The role of the media remains the same. Our founders were insightful enough to include the freedom of the press as part of our basic freedoms guaranteed by our founding documents. The press may not always be above reproach. However, if the press weren’t important to American society, it wouldn’t be targeted so often and so heavily for criticism and control. The press in America must remain free. Freedom for the media goes hand in hand with living a life of liberty and empowerment.
How can you support the freedom of the press?
What media sources do you prefer?
Did you know the Life, Liberty, And Pursuit Of Happiness Project has our own news aggregator page to help you be informed and make your own decisions about current events?
Wherever you prefer to get your news from, please support the freedom of the press even when it seems it’s the media versus everyone.
Garrett Leeds is the founder of the Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness Project
If you would like to support the Life, Liberty, And Pursuit Of Happiness Project, please consider contributing to LLPHP via GoFundMe
