In a world full of political turmoil and division, it is the responsibility of journalists to report the truth and hold those in power accountable. However, in the case of President Donald Trump, the media seems to be failing in this duty. Despite his blatant disregard for democratic norms and his open embrace of authoritarianism, the media continues to downplay the danger he poses to our country and the world.
From the very beginning of his campaign, Trump has made it clear that he intends to be an authoritarian leader. He has praised dictators, attacked the free press, and shown a complete lack of respect for the rule of law. Yet, many journalists have been hesitant to label him as such, instead choosing to use euphemisms such as “strongman” or “populist”. This reluctance to call a spade a spade is not only dangerous, but it also shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the threat that Trump poses.
One of the main reasons why journalists have been hesitant to use the term “authoritarian” when describing Trump is the fear of being accused of bias or “fake news”. In today’s political climate, where the President himself regularly attacks the media and labels any negative coverage as “fake”, it is understandable that journalists would be cautious. However, this fear of being labeled as biased should not prevent them from reporting the truth. The role of the media is to hold those in power accountable, not to appease them.
Moreover, by refusing to use the term “authoritarian” when describing Trump, the media is doing a disservice to the public. It is important for people to understand the true nature of their leaders and the potential consequences of their actions. By sugarcoating Trump’s authoritarian tendencies, the media is not only failing in their duty to inform the public, but they are also normalizing his behavior.
The media’s failure to grasp the danger of Trump is also evident in their coverage of his attacks on the free press. Trump has repeatedly called the media “the enemy of the people” and has even threatened to take away their press credentials. Instead of condemning these attacks and standing in solidarity with their fellow journalists, some in the media have chosen to downplay their significance or even defend Trump’s actions. This not only undermines the credibility of the media but also emboldens Trump to continue his attacks.
Furthermore, the media’s reluctance to label Trump as authoritarian also ignores the warning signs that have been evident throughout his presidency. From his attempts to undermine the independence of the judiciary to his use of executive power to bypass Congress, Trump has consistently shown a disregard for the checks and balances that are essential to a functioning democracy. By failing to report on these actions and their implications, the media is failing to fulfill their duty as the fourth estate.
It is time for the media to wake up and start reporting on Trump’s authoritarian tendencies for what they are. The future of our democracy depends on it. By refusing to use the term “authoritarian” and downplaying the danger that Trump poses, the media is not only failing in their duty to inform the public, but they are also enabling his dangerous behavior.
In conclusion, it is high time for the media to recognize the true threat that Trump poses to our country and the world. By refusing to label him as authoritarian and downplaying his actions, they are not only failing in their duty to inform the public, but they are also normalizing his dangerous behavior. It is imperative that journalists start reporting the truth, even if it means facing backlash from the President and his supporters. As the saying goes, “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. It’s time for the media to do their part in standing up against authoritarianism and defending democracy.
