Donald Trump avoids journalistic electric chair

Op-ed views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of BizPac Review.

A round of applause for Donald Trump’s brushback pitch thrown at the biased and self-important New York Times. Last minute, Trump cancelled a planned meeting with the Times because it is “nasty” and continues to cover him “inaccurately.” The left-wing media thinks it has the right to set the terms and conditions for meetings and interviews with elected officials but Trump is having none of that, especially for a “failing” newspaper. Another meeting was scheduled, under favorable terms. Let’s hope we see more challenges like this to remind the media that it must be held accountable.

SS New York Times

Trump is under no obligation, legally or morally, to meet with press people who denigrate or disparage him. People are no longer buying the mainstream media’s claim that they are responsible for “public education” in society. If the public was receiving accurate, unbiased news fairly presented, the media might have a point. But what we get from the MSM is filtered news they think the public ought to read and see. The news has become “sound bites”, spin and propaganda crafted by journalists who want to tell you their opinions and how to think. There’s a legitimate place for that, but there are uncounted ways Americans can get information and news without the leftist babble of the MSM.

The real story here is that most newspapers and broadcasters refuse to be held accountable for their behavior and for their destructive actions. When did it become ethical for the MSM to abuse their power, by hoodwinking, to shove their anointed politicians into office? Too many reporters and editorialists think they can say anything they want, with no consequences. Many are elitists who consider American voters too stupid to reach reasonable voting decisions without their prattling.

Freedom of speech is a right we all possess, but it doesn’t mean you have a right to be listened to. In turn, politicians have a right to refuse to deal with journalists and organizations that are out to harm them. Newspapers and TV news deserve to be judged when they engage in slanted and hyped attacks. Rights are reciprocal: journalists can write or say what they want about politicians, and politicians can and should reciprocate by refusing to deal with such people on their terms.

The classic example of political right over might was when Rick Scott, in his first campaign for Florida governor, shunned the editorial boards of newspapers across the state. Many political wits were delighted to see Scott nuke the left-wing journalistic establishment. Scott, just like Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, considered it a waste of time to meet with editorialists, and his damn-the-torpedoes campaign didn’t ask for their endorsement. Newspaper editors were furious, lamely whining about Scott’s refusal being a disservice to readers. The truth is that their readers were spared by reduced exposure to political hatchet tripe. Both Scott and Perry, refusing to sit in the press’s electric chairs, went on to win their governorships.

In southeast Florida, The Palm Beach Post is the poster child for abusive and insulting journalism. It is common knowledge here among political operatives that the Post’s historical political candidate interviews were abominations. When the Post editorial people interviewed candidates who did not bow to the Post’s political agenda, which is among the most pronounced in the area, candidates were treated with blatant rudeness. Many candidates, especially Republicans, routinely were attacked with hostile questions and ridiculed by accusations. Interviews which were supposed to be Post fact-gathering missions were turned into full assaults against the “unworthy”. In fairness, I am told that more recently the interviews are more civil.

Trump’s situation is identical. Why come to the press’s dinner table when you are the main course? Trump should give the media a dose of their own poison. Reporters who sensationalize to sell newspapers or attract more eyeballs shouldn’t whimper when they must pay a price to exercise their biases—the price is reduced access. Such reporters are not entitled to cooperation from politicians when those same reporters are cranking up their chainsaws for the news massacre.  Trump is not required to help arrange his own political hanging.

 

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