• by Ray Schultz , Columnist, November 17, 2024

The media business continues to fear an assault on press freedom in the aftermath of Donald J. Trump’s re-election.  

The worries range from costly defamation suits  to verbal abuse and intimidation. Trump “insulted, or threatened the press verbally at least 108 times between Sept. 1 and Oct. 24, Financial Times reports.

“The demonization of the press, which is part of the Maga message, has contributed to a dramatic erosion of trust,” says Andrew Heyward, former president of CBS News, according to FT. 

Trump is the “commander in chief of retribution,” adds Marty Kaplan, professor of communication and journalism, FT continues.  

Kaplan observes, “If you’re hit with a multibillion-dollar lawsuit, you still have to deal with that even if it’s frivolous.”  

As with other aspects of the political situation, the news about media seems to shift on a daily basis. 

In one development, Los Angeles Times owner, Patrick Soon-Shiong has fired the paper’s editorial board in the wake of turmoil concerning the paper’s decision not to endorse a presidential candidate. 

"Coming soon. A new Editorial Board. Trust in media is critical for a strong democracy," he wrote.

"If it's news, it should just be the facts, period,” Soon-Shiong told Fox News.  “And if it's an opinion, that's maybe an opinion of the news, and that's what I call now a voice. And so, we want voices from all sides to be heard, and we want the news to be just the facts.”

In related news, Laura Helmuth resigned as editor-in-chief of Scientific American magazine after referring to Trump voters as “fascists,” and as the “meanest, dumbest, most bigoted” people.  

Helmuth apologized. A search is underway for her replacement. 

There are still two months before the administration takes office.