Decisive round nears in Trump vs Media

DONALD Trump’s relationship with the news media has always been intriguing, and now, as president of the United States, he is looking for a knockout, saying he will soon present awards for bad journalism. The announcement of the winners tomorrow will ironically be a major news topic in itself, though few producers or consumers of news will be taking his judgements seriously.

The White House, Congress, the Senate and the electoral system in US as well as the media have come under scrutiny for various reasons, triggered this past year by Trump’s victory in the presidential race. The media were sure Hillary Clinton would win and Trump has blamed their pro-Clinton bias for fostering the overwhelming negativity that greeted his ascent to office, his administrative appointments and his policies.

If Trump is correct in saying there are corrupt and dishonest elements within the US mainstream media, a president elected by the people and for the people is pointing at a major flaw in US democracy. If the conventional media are correct in questioning Trump’s honesty and ability to lead, they are doing the same. Yet, this is the democracy that lifted Trump to power and put his finger on what he calls a bigger nuclear button than the one within reach of North Korea’s Kim Jong-un.

The media will happily report on Trump’s awards for bad journalists, but the coverage can’t paper over worries about American democracy. US politics is no longer normal by any measuring stick. Criticism is made not to engage in thoughtful, necessary debate but for the sake of political expediency. Now, even the most self-evidently truthful accusation can be dismissed as fake news.

Democracy is a system of governance that allows for attacks on an individual’s character, but it has always been the unwritten rule that the attacks must be within the realm of sensibility and objectivity.

Not all is fair in love, war and politics but honesty should be the uppermost characteristic of criticism.

The showdown between Trump and the press will play out for a long time to come, but it is constantly overshadowed by the question: Who can be trusted? – The Nation/Asia News Network