"In our hour, 2026 now looms as the critical moment, the time in which we will continue to have free and fair elections or not, will continue to have courts that uphold the rule of law or not, will continue to enjoy constitutional rights of citizenship and free speech and free press or not. For all Americans, very much including for journalists, the question for the year ahead is whether we will rise to the occasion."
"The task before us seems to me largely the same as it has been for more than a year now: to do our work with courage and clarity; to prepare to defend our rights when they are challenged, including to band together in the effort (as was done effectively at the Pentagon recently, and less so at the White House when the AP was attacked for a Stylebook choice earlier this year); and to draw distinctions between news and noise."
2026 is presented as the pivotal year for preserving free and fair elections, independent courts, and constitutional rights such as free speech and a free press. Most news outlets have informed the public reasonably well, though coverage has flaws and public dissatisfaction is growing. Journalists must work with courage and clarity, prepare to defend rights when challenged, and collaborate when necessary. Drawing clear distinctions between genuine news and sensational noise is essential to maintain public responsiveness. Overuse of alarmist framing risks desensitizing audiences to real crises. Some political events require acknowledging complexity rather than succumbing to simplistic cable television narratives.
#2026-elections #threats-to-democracy #freedom-of-the-press #rule-of-law #journalistic-responsibility
Read at Nieman Lab
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