Posted on 06/01/2016 1:28:49 AM PDT by Pinkbell
The National Press Club president expressed alarm on Tuesday about Donald Trump’s dangerous attitude toward the First Amendment.
At a press conference earlier in the day, Trump had said “the press should be ashamed of themselves” for investigating his fundraising for veterans. Trump at one point called an ABC News reporter a “sleaze.” “You know my opinion of the media,” Trump said, “it’s very low.”
Two days before, Trump had told a crowd on the National Mall that reporters are “liars” and “lowlifes.”
Trump had previously called for making it easier for public figures to sue news organizations for libel, a change that would practically suffocate a free press and potentially disable some news companies.
What’s more, Trump’s campaign organization has blocked from his events news outlets whose coverage has not suited the candidate. And reporters who are allowed to attend must stay in “pens” rather than move about freely.
“Donald Trump misunderstands—or, more likely, simply opposes--the role a free press plays in a democratic society,” said Thomas Burr, the National Press Club president. “Reporters are supposed to hold public figures accountable. Any American political candidate who attacks the press for doing its job is campaigning in the wrong country. In the United States, under our Constitution, a free press is a check on politicians of all parties.”
“If we are to demand that other countries respect the tradition of a free press we must also practice that here at home,” Burr added.
The National Press Club is the world’s leading professional organization for journalists. Through its Press Freedom Committee, the club works to promote freedom of expression and transparency at home and abroad. The National Press Club Journalism Institute, a non-profit affiliate, equips news professionals with the skills to innovate, leverages emerging trends, recognizes innovators and mentors the next generation.
Trump doesn't care about the First Amendment? Sure. Forget about the fact the press often distorts what Trump says and the fact that the press is majority liberal, and their coverage often reflects it.
*** Donald Trump misunderstands—or, more likely, simply opposes—the role a free press plays in a democratic society,” said Thomas Burr, the National Press Club president. ***
Free Press- free to lie, twist, edit, interpret prejudicially
anything and everything Trump says.
To quote the esteemed Diamond & Silk, “Don’t get it twisted.”
1) we don’t have a free press. We have an owned bought and paid for media industry controlled by uber rich liberals
2) if they are indignant about being proven to be liars they should stop lying. Or stop covering Donald Trump. Oops ratings ... Corporate profits rule ... See 1)
3) the second amendment is also part of the constitution. Where is their hand wringing.
4) they distort. We deride. Go Trump.
IIRC, freedom of speech comes before freedom of the press in the First Amendment. Donald Trump exercises his freedom of speech and they are offended? More popcorn !! We need more popcorn!! ;-)
These are the same people who don’t care anout the 2nd amendment!
Same as asking how long have you been beating your wife?
I don’t accept his premise.
Same as asking how long have you been beating your wife?
I don’t accept his premise.
“accountability” according to the biased MSM means vicious dishonest attacks on anyone who doesn’t fit their favored narratives, and protection for their favorites such as the Clintonistas
Where are the reporters holding Hillary and Bill Clinton “accountable”???? Don’t see it happening. The media has had many years to get to the bottom of Shrillary’s misdeeds but the accountability simply does not exist.
> In the United States, under our Constitution, a free press is a check on politicians of all parties.
So, Mr. Burr. Last criticism I heard from you was back when George Bush was president. All I have heard since is fluff. When will this free press start to check on all the damage Obama has brought to our country? Why all the silence on Benghazi? When will it check Hillary’s lies? When will it check out that Clinton crime foundation? Bill’s rapes? The death of Vince Foster? Why no critique on any of Bernie’s socialist plans for our country? When you start actually being a check on “politicians of all parties”, then maybe we’ll ask Trump to cut you some slack. Until then, the National Press Club President can KMA!
Go Trump ! Call ‘em out !
The Dishonest media works all day long to suppress my rights. I’ll cheer if Trump puts them all on trial for thier lies and deceptions. Freedom of the press does not include the freedom to slander and lie.
Q: What does the liberal press have against the constitution?
A: the enumerated powers, separation of branches of government, and Amendments I, II, IV, V, VI, VIII, IX, X, ...
Excellent point!
There is a great difference between a free press and a partisan, libertine press. Journalists are viewed with about the same favor as the U.S. Congress.
Perhaps if Mr. Burr had worked harder to elevate the reputation of the press, it wouldn’t be called shameful today.
Oh, my God! I wish I could laugh in his face. This POS can stand there and say this while Hillary gets away with murder - Wasserman-Schultz lies through her fangs - Kerry makes one idiot statement after another on behalf of the U.S. - Obama never once tells the truth - and every other democrat has absolutely no fear of being "held accountable" for anything they say or do.
Does the First Amendment ensure the press will lie, distort, spike stories they don’t like, feed their chosen candidate softball questions, fail to investigate their candidate who has hidden his record, created false biography, etc.?
By your profession, you are given special privileges: You can go behind-the-scenes to access individuals and documents. Ordinary people can't do that.
Accompanying these privileges, you have responsibilities to report accurately and fairly.
You can not mis-use your press privileges to avoid the facts in order to promote your "narrative."
But that's exactly what you do and that's exactly why you are sleazes.
Look what you did to good folks like Dan Quayle, Justice Bork and Sarah Palin.
Look how you defended (often by burying stories) evil deeds like Sandy Berger's pants-stuffing with archived documents - just what was in those documebts he stuffed in his pants?
How about Clinton's rapes? How about Obama's obviously forged "birth certificate?"
How about the millions of unborn infants who are dismembered and disemboweled and body parts sold to pay for Lamborghinis for Democrats?
I'll not weep for you, sleaze-by media. You deserve all you're getting from Trump. No, you deserve much, much more!
He’s never tried to deny them their 1A rights, just scolded them for lying. There is no “right to lie without admonishment” in the Bill of Rights.
This article is pure snowflake, safe-zone nonsense from the sicko media.
Trump using his first amendment rights to question the motives of a slimy reporter IS using his first amendment rights.
What don’t they understand about that?
The news Media Establishment killed the first Amendment years ago and intends to keep it dead by maintaining a left wing New World Order stranglehold on the dissemination of information. Trump threatens that stranglehold. Expect more of this crap from these lying hypocrits in the months to come.
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