How Did Trump’s Words Shape Media Freedom and Journalist Safety?

Person at a rally with Make America Great Again signs.

Donald Trump’s presidency marked a contentious era for media freedom, with his rhetoric sparking concerns about journalist safety and press credibility.

At a Glance

  • UN experts warned Trump’s media attacks could incite violence against journalists
  • Trump’s administration increased prosecutions of news sources and interfered with media businesses
  • The president’s rhetoric has eroded trust in the press among his supporters
  • Trump’s actions have inspired autocratic leaders globally to discredit their own media
  • Press freedom organizations condemned Trump’s repeated use of damaging rhetoric against the media

Trump’s Verbal Assaults on the Media

During his tenure, President Donald Trump engaged in what many experts consider an unprecedented assault on press freedom in the United States. His combative approach to the media, often labeling unfavorable coverage as “fake news,” became a hallmark of his presidency. Trump’s rhetoric went beyond mere criticism, with him famously calling the media the “enemy of the American people,” a stance that even his daughter, Ivanka Trump, publicly disagreed with.

The impact of Trump’s words extended beyond mere rhetoric. UN experts condemned his attacks on the media, warning that they could incite violence against journalists. This concern was not unfounded, as the administration’s hostile language created an environment of suspicion and potential danger for members of the press.

https://mobile.twitter.com/FreedomofPress/status/1025422399838330880

Erosion of Press Credibility

Trump’s strategy appeared to be a systematic effort to undermine press credibility, affecting public perception of truth and consensus. This became particularly evident during critical times such as the pandemic. The president’s claims that 90% of media coverage of his administration was negative further fueled distrust among his supporters.

“When the media – driven insane by their Trump Derangement Syndrome – reveals internal deliberations of our government, it truly puts the lives of many, not just journalists, at risk! Very unpatriotic!” – Donald Trump

The administration’s actions went beyond words. There was an increase in prosecutions of news sources and interference with media businesses. These actions, combined with threats of libel suits, created a chilling effect on press freedom.

Global Implications

The impact of Trump’s media stance wasn’t confined to U.S. borders. His actions reportedly inspired autocratic leaders globally to discredit and restrict their own media. This ripple effect raised concerns about the state of press freedom worldwide.

“I believe that President Trump is engaged in the most direct sustained assault on freedom of the press in our history,” – Chris Wallace

Organizations dedicated to protecting press freedom, such as ARTICLE 19, repeatedly condemned Trump’s rhetoric. They emphasized the long-term impact of such language on press freedom in the United States and urged the administration to recognize the vital role of a free press in a healthy democracy.

A Call for Change

As Trump’s presidency concluded, there were calls for a reset in the relationship between the government and the media. Press freedom advocates emphasized the need to restore trust in journalism and protect the critical role of a free press in maintaining a well-informed citizenry and holding power to account.

“It is time the Trump administration took seriously the long term impact their dangerous anti-media rhetoric will have on press freedom in the United States. Freedom of expression, including press freedom, is supposedly a core US value. The Trump administration should appreciate the vital role the press plays in the success of the US and the wellbeing of its democratic system, and end these continuous verbal attacks which are putting individual journalists and press freedom more broadly at risk” – Quinn McKew

While the full extent of Trump’s impact on press freedom may take years to fully understand, his presidency undoubtedly marked a challenging period for American journalism. The tension between the administration and the media highlighted the ongoing struggle to maintain a free and robust press in the face of political pressure.

Sources:

  1. Trump’s attacks on media raise threat of violence against reporters, UN experts warn
  2. The Trump administration and the media
  3. When Trump attacks the media as the ‘enemy of the people,’ people like Robert Chain believe him