The 'Gospel' Against Mainstream Media According to Trump

You may have probably lost count of the time you heard or read the President of the United States use the term “fake News” to depict some notable news organizations in the US such as CNN, New York Times, Washington Post and others, well I lost count too. Is there any justification for this labelling by the President of a country that tags herself as a country that upholds freedom of information? There are two answers to this question, one borders on what ought to and what is and the other is on the division of media outlets into two sides of the political divide.

There is no doubt that the ideological background of news outlets in the US is filled with either expositions that appeal to the left wing or the right in what is referred to as media bias. This in fact, is an aberration of what the media ought to stand for. Both sides then go all out to find the negative sides of their presumed ideological enemy. In other words, CNN has a version of a story and Fox has its own. Breitbart can easily point out to some good stuff about the administration of Trump or the Republican Party and close its eyes on what is obviously dangerous.

Both sides just don’t get to see the good in others. The Gate-keeping aspect of the media works in such a way that they keep for themselves what they do not want to be revealed and churn out eagerly what they feel can shape public opinion in as much as it aligns with their rhetoric. The allegation about Trump-Russia ties by CNN which was busted, the debate questions forwarded to Democratic Party flag bearer prior to the election in 2016 are pointers to the fact that the media can play dirty if it intends to go all out against its perceived foes.

Being a man who had constantly taken a jab at what is political correctness, Trump is not ready to accept the media as it is. He’s always ready for a counter with his twitter handle as weapon. He seems to have his own narrative to a story about his administration and this brings us to the question of whether or not it is right to attack the media. The media will always remain the eye of the state and its role can never diminish in whatever form. The tendency to usurp executive powers is constantly a threat to democratic values and even the other arms of government may slack in the process of doing what is right in the face of political interference. The media beams its searchlight on government and individuals to curb excesses and maintain social balance. Although, of course, it can pull down the society too.

Should the fake news gospel continue to thrive however, it spells a doom for free speech. The media cannot be tamed, for in doing so, we destroy the platform on which modern democracy is laid. The media should never be intimidated, but must continue to carry out its professional calling with a good conscience rather than going out for blackmail or an all-out war. Let the ‘gospel’ of Trump appeal to those who want it and let those who loathe it continue with a subtle zeal. At every point in political epoch, individuals come and go, but the institution must survive. This is the most worthy call of all media outlet. Protect! Protect!! Protect!!!