Have you noticed that in countries where dictators rule, they suppress news and journalists. For example, recently, Jamal Khashoggi, who wrote for the Washington Post, was executed by Saudi Arabian nationals for being critical of Saudi Prince Muhammed Bin Salman. According to the New Republic, worldwide 34 journalists were murdered in 2018. Around the world 251 journalists are in jail, most for reporting on a country’s rulers. The murder and jailing of journalists is because they published truth, which make the rulers look bad.
In our country, we have laws and a First Amendment that protect journalists from threats and bullying by our country’s rulers. However, President Donald Trump, when campaigning introduced the “fake news” concept because he knew journalists would accurately report on his misstatements and lies. It is to the journalists’ credit that they still pursue accuracy in their reports. Unfortunately, Trump’s staff and followers continue to claim, even after video records show he was accurately reported, that it is “fake news.” Except on Fox News, where he calls regularly to claim that other networks are saying “fake news” about him.
Unfortunately, those who support Trump never vet his statements and accuse PolitiFact, Snopes and TruthorFiction of spreading “fake news.” No wonder Trump boasted in Nevada in February 2016: “I love the poorly educated (people).”
WALTER CARLSON
Concord