The practice of journalism played a particularly central role in the 2016 election cycle.
Donald Trump’s constant press attacks in stump speeches and Twitter, put the media
at the center of controversy, denigrating its role as watchdog to power. The coverage of the presidential race, a greater reliance on earned media, for example, also played a central role in
normalizing and electing Donald Trump.
Despite the difficulties news organizations are facing in the Internet era with the tension between clicks and journalism's role as
representing the American people, there were some bright spots.
“Journalists showed that despite being bullied online, many were still able to do their jobs with
integrity,” Jordan Hoffner, CEO of Salon Media Group, told Red, White & Blog. “Particularly in a contentious and oppressive environment, it is important for journalists and
news organizations to retain their focus on reporting the truth.”
The more we learn about what Donald Trump’s press office may look like, the more his
presidency resembles a Third-World strongman. While we may try to ignore the signs, and hope our federal institutions will prevent the curtailing of journalistic independence, reporters will be on a
volatile front line.
The intimidation we saw from Trump during
the closed-door meeting with media executives last month should alarm any ardent supporter of the First Amendment. The reaction to the hostility and lack of press access expected from a Trump West
Wing should be more investigative efforts. Pointed reporting on the White House and Trump's business involvements is key to ensure the people's business is the only priority.
We need
more honest coverage, such as David Fahrenthold of The Washington Post, who investigated the Trump Foundation with intense precision and honesty, during Trump’s tenure in the White
House.
“Some folks did some incredibly solid reporting,” Hoffner added. “Many of the most crucial stories got drowned out, however, by their reporting being
considered slanted,” either because of the publication they worked for, or meager coverage of their findings in the mainstream media.
Donald Trump’s election, and the
many unanswered questions about his tax returns, business reach and even health should animate journalists to cover him with intense scrutiny. It will serve as the first defensive measure against the
potential of a self-serving president, with little respect for the rights immortalized in the Constitution.