In a week filled with outrageous news and shocking headlines, one story seemed to slip under the radar of mainstream media. While the world was focused on the latest antics of President Trump, his attack on free speech rights went largely unnoticed by the corporate media. And even more surprisingly, it was not the biggest capitulation to Trump this week.
Last month, President Trump took to Twitter to attack Palestinian activist, Mahmoud Khalil, after he appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Trump accused Khalil of making “disgusting, anti-American” comments and called for him to be “deported immediately.” This was just the latest in a string of attacks on free speech by the President, but what was even more concerning was the lack of coverage from the mainstream media.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, the corporate media barely made a peep about Trump’s attack on Khalil’s free speech rights. There were no outraged headlines or in-depth analysis of the implications of this attack. It seems that in the current media landscape, where sensationalism and ratings often take precedence over important issues, Trump’s Twitter rants have become the norm.
But while the media may have turned a blind eye to this attack, it was not the only instance of corporate media capitulation to Trump this week. In fact, the biggest capitulation came from an unexpected source – late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel.
Kimmel, known for his sharp wit and fearless commentary, recently faced backlash for his monologue on gun control following the tragic shooting in Parkland, Florida. In response to this criticism, Kimmel invited a group of gun control activists onto his show, including Mahmoud Khalil. And while Kimmel may have thought he was providing a platform for these activists to share their message, he ended up giving into Trump’s demands.
In a surprising turn of events, Kimmel apologized to Trump for having Khalil on his show and even went so far as to distance himself from Khalil’s comments. This was a disappointing and alarming move from someone who has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration. Instead of standing by his principles and defending free speech, Kimmel caved to the pressure from the President and his supporters.
This is not the first time that late-night hosts have faced criticism for their political commentary, and sadly, it may not be the last. But what is concerning is the increasing trend of corporate media capitulating to Trump and his demands. It seems that the fear of backlash and losing viewership has become more important than standing up for what is right and defending the fundamental principles of democracy.
In a time when the media is constantly under attack and labeled as “fake news” by the President, it is more important than ever for the media to hold those in power accountable and to defend free speech. But with the recent events surrounding Mahmoud Khalil and Jimmy Kimmel, it seems that the corporate media may be failing in their duty to inform the public and provide a platform for diverse voices.
However, there is still hope. While the mainstream media may have let us down this week, there are still independent and alternative media outlets that are dedicated to reporting the truth and giving a voice to those who are often silenced. The Intercept, a non-profit news organization, was one of the few media outlets to cover Trump’s attack on Khalil’s free speech rights and to call out Kimmel’s capitulation to the President.
It is up to us, as consumers of media, to demand more from the corporate media and to support independent and alternative sources. We must not let the fear of backlash and losing viewership dictate what is reported and what is ignored. And most importantly, we must not let the voices of those who speak out against injustice be silenced.
In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Let us not remain silent in the face of attacks on free speech and the erosion of democratic values. Let us demand more from the media and hold those in power accountable. And let us never forget the importance of defending free speech, even when it is not popular or convenient to do so.
