With Trump in Office, How Much Will TV Networks Self-Censor?

“When the other three properties fail, when the law and enforcement and legislative departments fail us, the fourth property must succeed,” said actor George Clooney. Last Sunday was CBS’s 60 minutesThe top-rated television news program in America has been in 50 years. Clooney was promoting his appearance in Broadway production Good night and good luckHis 2005 film about Edward R. Murrow, the legendary CBS news station who stood on a witch hunt in the 1950s McCarthyism. The lessons from that era apply today as well. Clooney added:

Unfortunately, major American television networks sent the exact opposite message in reporting on the return of Stranded NASA astronauts to Earth. Eagle Eyed Media Writer Oliver Darcy revealed his details Status Newsletterfocusing on the rejection of ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, and CNN, “To Call Waters.” [the astronauts] It splashed into the Gulf of Mexico, the name of its water feature since the 16th century. ”

“Instead,” Darcy continued. “Television news organizations tied together in knots, doing language exercises, and at the same time they’re seized on Donald Trump’s crosshairs, grabbing their toes around an enraged audience to ensure they’re bent their knees and calling them the “Gulf of America.” ”

Questions that address climate reports are largely asking themselves. Will US broadcasters be equally squealing about stating the longstanding science as fact that climate change is realistic and extremely dangerous, and was caused primarily by burning fossil fuels? Will news organizations cease to use the term “climate change” completely now that Trump has removed it from many government websites? Such self-censorship will not only mislead the public, but will also betray the civil responsibility of journalism to hold power accountable. “Words are the forefront of truth,” writes Darcy.

The deeper problem is that journalists are under pressure not only from Trump but also from corporate owners. It is no coincidence that ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN all surrendered by adopting “offshore Florida” or other e-muscular expressions for the Gulf of Mexico, Darcy argued. He noted that broadcast news operations have a “standard division” that governs what reporters can say and cannot say in the broadcast.

It is understandable that television networks want to maintain access to the White House. But he wants to be careful with Trump, and like the network he wants television cameras within the White House. Instead of meeting his absurd demands, the TV network and its owners may want to remember the lessons of elementary schools. Not facing bullies only encourages more bullying.

Keep in mind the fact that it covers the climate 89% of projects: According to recent science, the majority of people around the world (80-89%) want the government to take stronger climate action. This overwhelming majority is just one of many signs that Trump’s authoritarianism, like his long-standing climate denial, is not popular with the masses targeting television news, especially. Relying on better climate coverage is more likely to appeal to the masses than bend their knees to an aspiring dictator.