Over the last year, the United States has seen a drastic shift in their mass media, news outlets and other media institutions. A huge factor that has been setting a dangerous precedent with media organizations in the U.S is the Trump administration.
Journalists throughout the U.S are in a state of worry—for themselves, their safety and what the future of journalism will continue to look like amidst these continuously shifting changes.
Jane Kirtley, a Professor of Media Ethics and law at the University of Minnesota, says that press freedom, especially in the U.S, has gotten worse over the years. “I’ve been working in this area for a very long time…there have been many times when there have been challenges to freedom of the press…The Reagen administration years were difficult; during the Bush administration, there were restrictions on reporting…But I have never seen anything as extreme as the situation now.”
“We’ve seen attacks on universities, on law firms and a variety of institutions. The reason I think that’s significant to say…it’s not just focused on the press because the First Amendment to the US Constitution doesn’t execute itself, it has to be put in place through judges and lawyers.”
Kirtley explains how she believes the problem is deriving from how many media organizations are surrendering to the Trump administration or to the President himself through money and/or his intimidation. She also brings to light how financial strains are part of the problem, with fewer reporters and a lack of resources.
“I’ve never seen anything quite like the Trump administration because they seem to have absolutely no respect for the rule of law.”
Gabe Rottman, a professor at the University of Virginia, School of Law, and the vice president of policy at the Reporters’ Committee, shares many of the same opinions as Kirtley.
“The US Constitution says that Congress can’t abridge freedom of speech or freedom of the press…But what we’ve seen under the second Trump administration is a lot of pretty explicitly viewpoint-discriminatory acts. Most obvious is what’s going on with the Associated Press with respect to the White House in what’s called the press pool.”
The reason for this stems from the Associated Press’ editorial decision to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as such, rather than acknowledging President Trump’s decision to rename it the Gulf of America.
A key factor that is becoming a significant issue in the U.S is the safety of the press and journalists. As Kirtley touched upon, journalist safety is not guaranteed and is at an all-time low since the Trump Administration has set its demands on media organizations.
“The problem is that we’re in a climate where the courts are less inclined to uphold the traditional rights of the press…In Minnesota, we certainly had a number of retaliatory attacks on journalists who were trying to cover the demonstrations against ICE…those things [protests] are unpredictable.” Kirtley says about her take on press safety.
Rottman brings up how DHS plays a role in press safety, “Even if you had a good reason to detain the journalist, as soon as they say ‘I’m press, I’m press’, the officer is trained to give you a chance to show you are [a reporter], then they let you go…we’re just concerned the DHS officers don’t have the proper training on how to deal with journalists in the field.”
Protests against ICE have been on the rise across America, with some states taking it harder than most. Rottman shares information about a non-citizen from Tennessee who was arrested by ICE, which she alleges was due to her reporting on ICE immigration enforcement. With ICE being an extension of the government, it reiterates the importance of what state the U.S is in regarding the media.
“If there’s one thing that law enforcement can’t do is target journalists because they’re journalists because of their journalism.” says Rottman.
The Trump Administration has taken drastic measures against journalists, their reporting and media organizations, and we are seeing lawmakers, media professionals and other corresponding agents struggle to adjust to regulations which are threatening their basic First Amendment rights. The one question in many of their minds is, how long will it be until the Trump Administration finally crosses the line?
Michael Kazura
Michael is a Toronto-based journalist focused on public-interest reporting, with an interest in sports and fashion. His work covers issues ranging from government policy to cultural trends shaping everyday life. His biggest strength is my creativity because everyone can write a story, but not everyone can make one.
Victoria Bortolussi
I’m an emerging communications professional with diverse experience in strategic storytelling. My background in cultural anthropology greatly informs the way in which I view the world and the work that I produce. I take a special interest in cultural criticism, global affairs, and arts and culture.
Mareyah Khan
As a student journalist pursuing a career in finding the truth, I am always out looking for stories that interest the public. Being a minority allows me to find and give those who lack a voice a platform to express it, with most of my work surrounding topics that need addressing. Being a journalist means to always give your all for the sake of the people and that is what I will continue to do.
Frankie Peluso
I’m an early-career journalist with experience covering runway shows, industry events, and street style reporting. I take a special interest in trend analysis, healthy living, and exploring how modern lifestyles reflect broader social narratives.