Politics 2016, Part 2

     The fourth estate is proud of its reputation for independence.  However, since Colonial days newspapers have been under the wing of one group or another, spouting the views of their patrons.  Arguing against the government was considered seditious and papers were free to say anything about public figures, despite the legal victory of John Peter Zenger.  Ben Franklin’s grandson Benjamin Bache was one of the most notorious partisan publishers in the late 18^th C and defamed John Adams during the election of 1800.  Similar partisan publishing continued through much of the early years of the Republic.
The Watergate investigation by the reporters of the Washington Post was one of the few examples of a newspaper fighting to learn and publish the truth about an Administration.  Their investigation resulted in the resignation of President Nixon.  The work of the Boston Globe in the film “Spotlight” is another but rare shining example of the wonderful job investigative reporters can do.
     More recently with the 24/7 news cycle, the media can claim responsibility for the successful campaign of Donald J. Trump. They gave him hours of free television coverage from the moment he announced that he was running.  Every time he appeared anywhere they covered it, hoping that he would say something stupid or ridiculous and provide another hour or more of commentary.  Even MSNBC covered Trump and ignored all of his GOP competitors as well as Bernie and Hillary.  These Democratic candidates received no coverage until close to the convention.  Is it any wonder that Trump did not spend a penny for TV ads?  He didn’t have to do so.  He had free coverage, continuously.
     Even his interviews are soft.  As an example,  Matt Lauer was supposed to moderate a Q&A for each candidate with veterans.  He let Trump say anything and never fact checked him or challenged his statements.  He was not initially opposed to the Iraqi war.  He told Howard Stern that he supported the war.  He said that the President did not follow the recommendations of the security briefings.  The people who do the briefings do not make recommendations.  They give the President the facts.  They are also trained to not review their own feelings during the briefings.  Yet, Trump claimed that he was able to read their “body language” which he interpreted as anti-Obama. 
     Trump expressed his admiration for Putin and mentioned that Putin has an 80% approval rating in Russia.  The Leader of North Korea has a 100% approval rating in his country.  What does either statistic prove?  They are both dictators and their people dare not disapprove of them or their actions.  Again, Lauer never challenged Trump.  One of the moderators for the upcoming debates has already said he will not fact check either candidate. 
Trump touts himself as a great business man.  The number of bankruptcies he had filed and the number of people he has cheated should be constantly part of the 24/7 news cycles.  Yet, bankruptcy is considered an acceptable “business” practice.  However, the workmen, small business owners, and construction firms that he had cheated are not “good business.”  He ruined multiple small business owners in every town he has built a hotel or casino.  He hasn’t even paid his campaign workers!  The news media just doesn’t bother to mention any of this. 
     If Donald J. Trump is elected the next President of the United States, the media will carry an enormous blame for the catastrophic consequences that will follow!