Stopping the Press
Briefly

"Mr. Podsnap was well to do, and stood very high in Mr. Podsnap's opinion." Dickens's keen observation speaks to the entitlement and vanity within societal structures. In modern journalism, this self-entitlement mirrors today's media perception, viewed unfavorably by the public and grappling with trust issues according to reports from reliable institutions.
"Never forget, the press is the enemy," Richard Nixon told Henry Kissinger, highlighting the historical animosity between presidential administrations and the media. Trump's animus toward reporters reflects a broader narrative of political leaders labeling the press as adversarial, perpetuating a cycle of criticism against journalistic integrity.
Trump's relationship with the media is particularly complex, being both a product of its creation—he famously sought tabloid attention—and yet later positioned himself as a critic. This duality showcases how political figures can simultaneously rely on and vilify the media, exacerbating public distrust.
Reliable research institutions like Pew Research Center reflect a decline in public regard for news media, aligning them with Congress in a state of distrust. This erosion of trust can be linked to historical patterns of political hostility, particularly during Nixon's era, resurfacing in contemporary discourse.
Read at The New Yorker
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