The news is all bad when it comes to the media industry these days. Journalists cringe at the humiliation of “60 Minutes,” but that is only one of many attacks by the Trump administration meant to silence critics and suppress dissent.
A critical press is necessary for a healthy democracy and our democracy is currently in poor health — perhaps failing health in that it may not survive. In his first term, Trump labeled journalists the “enemy of the people.” In his second term, he is trying to eliminate those “enemies” one by one.
Read the details below, starting with the “60 Minutes” debacle, as summarized by Axios:
“Press freedom advocates are sounding the alarm following Paramount's $16 million settlement with President Trump, arguing the deal sets a dangerous new precedent, particularly for smaller outlets with fewer legal resources.”
The piece makes these points:
A steady decline in media trust, coupled with enormous financial challenges, has made the press more vulnerable to political pressure campaigns than ever before.
The deal has drawn outrage from critics who believe Paramount could have won what they believe is a frivolous lawsuit.
The Knight Institute said Paramount's legal exposure was "negligible," and argued it should've fought the case in court.
PEN America, another press freedom group, said Paramount "caved to presidential pressure" and "chose appeasement to bolster its finances."
The Wall Street Journal editorial board wrote:
"President Trump has taunted the media for years, and some of his jibes are deserved given the groupthink in most newsrooms. What's happening now, though, is different: The President is using government to intimidate news outlets that publish stories he doesn't like. It's a low move in a free country with a free press."
Axios reports some of those intimidating moves:
Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have endorsed the idea of prosecuting CNN for its critical coverage of U.S. strikes in Iran and its immigration reporting.
Trump also suggested he could demand journalists reveal their sources in light of the Iran intel leak. In April, the Justice Department repealed protections for journalist-source confidentiality.
The White House has already banned the AP over its editorial standards. It's also pushing Congress to gut fundingfor public media. The FCC has launched investigations into the DEI policies of Comcast/NBCU and Disney/ABC.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, folks. Those who aspire to authoritarian rule always go after the press.
Trump is no different.
HEADLINES:
Media's death by a thousand cuts (Axios)
Google might be next to settle with Trump. (Atlantic)
How a Nuclear War Might Unfold (WP)
Strikes kill 94 Palestinians in Gaza, including 45 people waiting for aid, authorities say (AP)
Gaza aid contractor tells BBC he saw colleagues fire on hungry Palestinians (BBC)
ICE increasingly targets undocumented migrants with no criminal record (WP)
First immigration detainees arrive at Florida center in the Everglades (AP)
E.P.A. Suspends 144 Employees After They Signed a Letter Criticizing Trump (NYT)
After Trump Warns Elon Musk To 'Close Up Shop,' China Rallies Behind World's Richest Man: 'There's No Need To Keep Putting Up With It' (Yahoo)
Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Cases Involving Transgender Athletes (NYT)
US Supreme Court ponders the balance of power – and sides with President Trump (The Conversation)
Trump’s tax-and-spending bill passes Congress in major win for president (Guardian)
How Medicaid Cuts Will Cost Some 12 Million People Health Coverage (Bloomberg)
What Really Happened to Malaysia’s Missing Airplane (Atlantic) (from 2019)
Behind the Curtain: Zuck's AI moonshot (Axios)
Study Finds Curative Power Of Prayer Limited To Genital Warts (The Onion)
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