The United States of America has been an exponent of freedom of press, both print and electronic media, for over two centuries. The First Amendment to the US Constitution ensures freedom of speech, i.e. of the press. Its formal adoption took place on December 15, 1791.
The third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson who was the framer of the Declaration of Independence, was in favour of freedom of press aimed at keeping power of the government in check. He famously declared in 1787 his preference for newspapers without government over government without newspapers. President John F Kennedy also acknowledged freedom of press in spite of criticism of his administration.
In the United States the concept of freedom of the press actually was identified during American Revolution by the revolutionary leaders. The Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776 proclaimed that freedom of the press is one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty and can never be restrained but by despotic governments. The Constitution of Massachusetts declared in 1780 that the liberty of the press is essential to the security of freedom in a state; it ought not, therefore, to be restrained in this commonwealth. Virginia and Massachusetts, among the four states, had become commonwealth of states.
President Donald Trump in the new millennium turns out to be anti-freedom of the media. After days of attack on the CNN and MSNBC TV news channel, he tweeted a video of professional wrestling edited to appear as if Trump was beating up a person with CNN's logo on his head.
The president as of now has not concentrated on important policy decision, including reform of tax system, empowerment of women, increasing job opportunities and reconstruction of infrastructure. Instead, he has withdrawn from the Paris Climate Pact and rejected Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) while insisting to rewrite new bilateral trade pacts to reap benefit for the United States. Incidentally, Trump has distanced himself from the tradition of holding press conference to inform the people of the United States on foreign policy vis-a-vis conflict around the world. He has also refused to answer questions during the press conference with foreign dignitaries at the White House lounge. Interesting enough, the White House has banned journalists covering it from recording or broadcasting press conferences by the press secretary to the president. President Donald Trump also created a record by refusing to attend the annual black-tie dinner of the White House press corps on April 18 this year. He has become the first president in 36 years to keep away from such a colourful humorous event.
Trump did not even enjoy the July 4 national holiday. While he was addressing in honour of the veterans at the John Kennedy centre at Washington DC he stated that the 'fake media' was trying to 'silence us'. His remarks followed his second series of tweets railing the media on Morning Joe programme of MNSBC co-hosted by Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. The president said, "Fake media tried to stop us from going to the White House. But I am President and they are not."
Journalists do exercise their constitutional right by exercising freedom of the press. They provide information that empowers people to hold elected representatives accountable. But they have become enemies of Trump. The hateful narrative has begun to permeate the political realm and, as a result, physical and verbal assault on journalists are on the rise since the start of Trump presidency. As of now five major assaults have been reported against journalists. This is not a good sign in a democratic society.
President Trump was delighted to hear when Russian authoritarian President Vladimir Putin said that American journalists were hurting him (Trump) while former American President George Bush in an interview with MNSBC told that independent news media is indispensable for democracy..
President Trump has actually begun a war against the media, both print and electronic, which will hamper growth of democracy, indeed. Attack on it is tantamount to attack on the First Amendment to the US Constitution which every president is sworn in to uphold during the oath-taking ceremony. Thus, Trump is violating the oath of office.
The writer is a retired diplomat from Bangladesh.
[email protected]
- Saturday, 20 April 2024 |
- Today's FE |
- e-Paper |
- Beta Website
