Trump tackles foreign media
DONALD Trump is set to take on the media again with a meeting this week about cracking down on foreign ownership of news.
The President, who has been touted as considering setting up his own “Trump TV” station after office, has long battled with news networks, accusing them of “fake news” and bias.
He will meet a top American media executive to take advice on using his powers to issue an executive order to make foreign-owned media, including China’s CGTN and Russia Today, carry a watermark.
The proposal has received backing from senior political figures in Britain.
Mr Trump remains in office until January 20 and can issue executive orders to amend the law.
The Sunday Express has learnt that the President is due to meet Charles Herring, the chief executive of Right-wing channel One America News, to discuss the proposal.
Mr Herring is representing himself and other media executives who are concerned about Chinese influence in the media which they say is mirrored in growing buy-ups of western academia and energy companies.
British billionaire Alki David, who owns his own media interests in America and has been involved in the discussions, told the Sunday Express: “Charles is going to talk to Trump on behalf of a group of us. We think a watermark is the right concept.
“Foreign ownership of media and subtle manipulation of the viewing public is a real issue, it is something we must police against.
“With the strengths gained from Brexit, the UK will be watching these developments closely, the muscle is now there to respond and I think the UK may well replicate the watermark move.”
Former security minister Sir John Hayes, who is a member of the intelligence and security committee and is understood to have been pushing for a more robust British strategy, agreed with the proposal.
“Watermarking foreign involvement in our media, particularly with countries that don’t have our best interests at heart, would be an important move to make.
“People need to know what information they are being provided with, what other influences are involved and where it comes from.”