The establishment of a free press is a basic unassailable right except for a few protections, libel, defamation and slander. The problem with the modern press is not the intrusion of technology, home bloggers or fake websites, it is the presses’ inability to avoid the lurid and celebrity. The big three network news divisions have been swallowed up by the entertainment wing of their respective employers. The twenty-four-hour cable news programs are sprinkled with talking heads more intent on instigation than dissemination.
We have been bombarded with Trump speak for over a year and quite frankly, the constant annoying harangue of his daily toddler tantrums is the fault of the press. They cannot help themselves. Any inane bit of fluff coming out of Trump’s WH or twitter feed gets maximum coverage. Black trousers were worn with a blue suit jacket, Melania in stilettos going to Houston following Hurricane Harvey, a reported Coke (the drink) button on the President’s desk. During this same period, North Korea, since March, has fired four missiles that have landed in the Sea of Japan and one that landed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the same nation. A letter was unearthed penned by Hans von Spakovsky of the Election Integrity Commission which sought to exclude Democrats and moderate Republicans who might oppose the mission of voter suppression. We are ignoring issues that literally change a nation for ratings and a laugh, war and the rights of participation and inclusion.
How often, during the campaign, were we subjected to viewing an empty podium awaiting the appearance of the red MAGA hat, while Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton were giving substantive policy speeches and engaging in real public debate? The press complained bitterly about the personal attacks on its reporters but kept that little video box in the corner of the screen waiting for Mr. Trump to peek out from behind the curtain. I have a great respect for the press. I think, when left to their own devices, perform a valuable service to the nation and the world. “All the news that’s fit to print” was Adolph Ochs admonition to the yellow journalist who sought sensationalism over fact; do we need to increase the threat level to ochre or orange?
After last night’s reappearance of the infamous Sean Spicer, during the Emmy telecast, it seems the months of lies and obfuscation were forgiven. The small screen medium of television welcomed him with open arms. Stephen Colbert made jokes, celebrities flocked to his side, and the audience giggled nervously at the mention of his name. This is the man who was chief in charge of White House propaganda for relentless month after month; but now, ehhhh, no matter what is a lie or two hundred, amongst friends…
President Donald Trump has a UN speech scheduled today. He may confirm or deny the U.S. pullout of the Paris Climate Agreement, take the chance to pillory Russia and China for not attending or lay out a specific action on how the U.S. will deal with North Korea. Ok MSNBC, FOX, and CNN here are your chances, or do I wait for the ‘Saturday Night Live’ skit to find out what happened…?