• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, November 27, 2018

Trump has proposed a "state-run" media network as a foil to his favorite target, CNN. Slow news day, here? Is there a tongue in someone’s cheek -- somewhere?

Here’s a Trump Monday tweet: “Throughout the world, CNN has a powerful voice portraying the United States in an unfair and false way. Something has to be done, including the possibility of the United States starting our own Worldwide Network to show the World the way we really are, GREAT!"

He didn’t go into details, though the word “own” says a lot. Maybe this is not a surprise to many. It seems like Trump has been auditioning to be president of a TV news network for some time.

As with anything Trump, you need to ask the question: Who would really run this media organization, as well as being “editor” of this worldwide news services? Better still, will advertisers buy in -- that is, if it is an ad-supported venture? 

Trump’s detractors would say the constant falsehoods, half-truths and, yes, some outright lying, might not form the basis for such a network. So take it as his desire. The U.S. news organizations have written reports about this, stating what seems like the obvious Trump plan: state-run media.

Well, the U.S. is already in the global media business. It's called Voice of America, the U.S. government-funded TV/radio broadcast group established in 1942. It airs broadcasts in 45 languages to an estimated 240 million people worldwide.

Part of the VOA charter is that “news will be accurate, objective, and comprehensive... [And that] the VOA will represent America, not any single segment of American society, and will therefore present a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions.”

However, some consider Voice of America to be a form of propaganda.

OK, Trump supporters, weigh in -- media-wise. Does this take priority over building a wall? (Or maybe it’s a “media” wall?)

No matter. Perhaps we should take a look at how other countries have performed in “owning” media. (There is RT, formerly Russia Today, a Russian international television network funded by the Russian government. There is also the BBC, a public service broadcaster, which includes BBC World News, the international 24-hour English-language news service, and the BBC World Service, the world's largest international broadcaster, which broadcasts in 40 languages.)

Just remember: Trump likes to give his opinions, so maybe we need another ‘f’ word Not facts. Not Fun. Fake.