Media is not always the enemy it’s made out to be

The media are the “enemy of the people,” according to the President of the United States. It seems many people agree. Donald Trump has been baiting the press for a long time, of course. Now, however, his unfriendliness has become disturbing hostility; a threat to freedom of speech. It’s unlikely Trump will have a warm relationship with the press again, especially if they keep publicising his lies.

Last week, the Washington Post reported Trump made 4,229 false claims in 558 days as president, averaging 7.6 porkies per day.

However, his supporters believe him. At his rallies, they laugh, jeer and boo when he taunts the media or has reporters thrown out.

The Republican base and the Trump supporters who have become its core, listen exclusively to rightwing pundits barking on TV and dismissing any facts they don’t like.

This goes beyond the US. It has worried me for years as the world grew more connected and poor behaviour increased. Now anyone working in the media faces unrelenting negativity intended to undermine them in their daily tasks.

Read the social media comments sent to any media outlet, including The Courier, and you will easily find vitriol.

Many outlets haven’t helped themselves, amid declining revenues, cutbacks and cheap fixes.

There was always an element of negativity in reporting – unavoidably so, because of the courage and criticism inherent in journalism – but as advertising moved online the media chased it.

Now, for example, it’s big business to post controversial opinions and farm “hate clicks” and, frankly, I hate that.

However, that doesn’t make enemies of all reporters and editors. Problems in the media don’t justify ad hominem attacks.

Take care. Journalism is changing and the public can influence that. You can support the best while you offer criticism to the rest. Read, watch and listen and stay open-minded.

And remember – some politicians lie.

Read, watch and listen and stay open-minded