Week 6 Topic 2

Week 6

Topic Two

Fake News

I do not think that it is appropriate for the president to use his place of authority to undermine particular news companies or take a stance against particular stories. Freedom of the press has some restrictions for libel and slander if they were to be circulating information that was vagrantly untrue or detrimental to President Trump there are a more appropriate means through due process that he could take. Publicly attempting to diminish their credibility undermines the vital role that the news plays for the public, creating distrust for anything they may publish.

The press holds a unique power and responsibility to inform the public of the going on’s of the government. Freedom of the press has been established for the reason--to be allowed to tell the whole story in order educate the public with our being reprimanded. If the press cannot tell the stories because of the members of the government don't want to be heard then it leaves the public powerless to defend themselves. Many tyrannical regimes gain their power by suppressing media and creating distrust of the news, and an uninformed public is left unable to unite against an unknown threat. When the president attacks or restricts the press he is harming the safeguards in place to hold the government accountable. This harms democracy by misleading the public, influencing how they may vote.

Use some examples that demonstrate that President Trump is just telling it like it is or where you think our democracy is strengthened or weakened by the current state of affairs regarding the media and journalism.

These are just a few examples of tweets from the President of The United States. Perhaps these could be seen as telling it like it is but I, personally cannot say they are words from a professional, respectful commander in chief. This of itself could be seen as a mark against democracy by making a mockery of the presidential office, using the authoritative platform to carry out personal vendettas.

Trump Tweets

“low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe”

“While all agree the U. S. President has the complete power to pardon, why think of that when only crime so far is LEAKS against us.FAKE NEWS”

“With all of its phony unnamed sources & highly slanted & even fraudulent reporting, #Fake News is DISTORTING DEMOCRACY in our country!”