Making a case for continuing the television news blackout of the White House regardless of whether or not the administration capitulates to open access
Over the weekend, and seemingly in response to nothing of note, Trump childishly banned three major news networks from covering the White House. The networks singled out were CNN, MS Now, and Politico, and the rationale when asked about it initially, was that these networks were “fake news,” whatever that means.
Fake News being the moniker that Trump has long used as catch-all for any coverage that wasn’t absolutely glowing about what a stable genius he is, and how well everything is going under his command. Later, lapdog Vance added a bit more context, and a defiantly more truthful answer, when he revealed that the ban did not represent censorship, but was punishment for what he called 92% negative coverage. Not false statements, or incorrect information, but negative coverage. A straight up admission of guilt.
The First Amendment makes it abundantly clear that the government may not abridge the rights of a free press to conduct themselves honorably and dutifully, despite providing what Trump considers to be less than favorable coverage. A major reason for the First Amendment to exist, one of the primary factors, in fact, is to prevent this very thing from happening. Censoring the news is not only unconstitutional, it’s a patently egregious act in a country that prides itself on freedom of speech, and an impeachable offense in any other era of American history.
In response, not only have the three networks predictably filed a joint lawsuit seeking relief from the administration, but all four major television networks, ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX have pulled all televised pool coverage of the president, essentially putting the White House in a video coverage blackout. Even Newsmax, who was trying to cover a ribbon cutting at the White House, ended up with nearly silent video of the event, because there were no microphones picking up Trump’s remarks.
Which got me to thinking. What if the networks just refused to broadcast any live footage of this president? The immediate problem would be that these networks all continue to operate with broadcast licenses that must be approved by the FCC, which Trump controls, and they would use that as a pretext for withholding those licenses. But assuming they were willing and able to do so, I think the effect would be significant and impactful.
To begin with, it would appear that if something isn’t being broadcast on television, in Trump’s mind, it didn’t happen. He lives to see himself on the television, as well as other people talking favorably about him. This is so important to him, that those in his orbit jockey to be close to him so that he sees them on TV. Even now, it’s not going to take long before he crumbles because he won’t be able to stand the fact that he’s not on the squawk box, but imagine his dismay if it continued.
Beyond his infantile obsession with being on television, the news media can’t seem to grasp that they don’t have to treat everything Trump says and does as relevant or newsworthy. They would surely argue that because Trump is the president, everything he does is newsworthy, but I think we can use a little common sense here, and look at the clear trail of evidence that clearly shows that’s not the case.
Since most of what comes out of his mouth are lies and fabrications, it’s not an effective way to cover his leadership since none of the official information is in any way trustworthy. In fact, the only qualified reason for quoting the president would be to present clear evidence of his inability to tell the truth.
I have long been critical of the White House Press Corps, the farcical nature of press briefings under Trump, and the cozy relationship that often exists between the media and an administration. It’s not nearly so combative as Trump and the Right would have you believe.
The problem isn’t that the media is biased against Trump, but that his entire administration is made up of people who have no idea what they are doing, and therefore, regularly screw the pooch on live television. The American people don’t need to be told that the country is being run by morons and amateurs, as we can see it for ourselves every damn day.
The best thing that could happen would be to close the press room, or simply boycott it, and report on what they’re actually doing, not on what they’re saying they’re doing. Stop taking dictation from liars and thieves, and start investigating and reporting the corruption we can all see with our own eyes. Reporters don’t need special insider access in order to report on what’s going on. If this administration wants positive stories written about them, they should start doing positive things.
Trump and his rusty Cybertruck full of unqualified clowns are deeply unpopular because their actions and policies are unpopular with Americans, across the political spectrum. The vast majority of voters simply think they’re doing a terrible job in all the areas they find important, from foreign affairs to the economy, immigration to public safety, stagnant wages to unaffordable healthcare.
It’s time for the media to start acting like the adults in the room, and not lower themselves to meet the gaze of a petulant toddler.
