Donald Trump's election victory has triggered widespread media panic - Poynter Institute for Media Research

Donald Trump’s campaign often, to the delight of his supporters, delivered an angry, divisive and sometimes frightening message about dividing and intimidating America – particularly regarding media targets such as The Washington Post or Fox News. Trump often found pleasure in using rhetoric such as calling them an enemy of the people or something similar as an insult against journalists who covered politics or media stories that threatened Donald. Trump recently mentioned media violence; and has released an entire album-worth of rhetoric against them; calling anything that doesn’t suit him “fake news”. And this trend continues unabated – just recently in fact when talking about shootings being carried out against journalists in some US states. He threatened CBS over Kamala Harris’ appearance on “60 Minutes”, even as Fox News, which typically bows and scrapes before him, dared air a program featuring Democrats like hers; on which, of course, Trump went absolutely nuts with criticisms and complaints. Trump’s messaging often appears focused on revenge and retribution. Are his statements about media only meant to rile up his base, or is he truly targeting its members – with journalists top of mind as possible targets? Early Wednesday morning – shortly after being declared winner by The Associated Press and other news organizations – Trump addressed his supporters and labeled CNN and MSNBC “the enemy camp.” (He actually called MSDNC instead.) Trump could have used the occasion of his victory speech to acknowledge it with grace and unity; instead he made headlines for airing grievances about media organizations – which might portend what his second term as president will bring. Jon Allsop wrote in Columbia Journalism Review that several important aspects of press culture seem clear — things we knew conceptually but now seem crystallized into view. Most importantly, President-elect Trump poses an unprecedented and credible threat to press freedom as we know it in America. Kyle Paoletta of CJR wrote, “Next year will bring Trump’s assault on the press into full effect with numerous attempts made at silencing anything he considers unfavorable reporting.” Access to the West Wing will likely be restricted, perhaps through credentialing only reporters from conservative outlets – or perhaps closing off its briefing room entirely. Trump and his allies plan to use the Department of Justice and FCC against media organizations and journalists through leak investigations, politicization of broadcast licenses and antitrust litigation, or possibly prosecuting journalists for espionage charges. This plan may cause further disruption. Reporters covering protests and immigration enforcement could face detention not just from local police but from Homeland Security as well. President Trump could seek congressional intervention to reform libel laws or otherwise criminalise dissidence.” Trump now feels emboldened to further attack media organizations after winning another term, according to CNN “Reliable Sources” newsletter editor Brian Stelter who noted in their newsletter “Trump is never happy with news coverage; instead he often wants a more accommodating, propagandist media outlet”. Trump’s election signals an impending period of hostility between major media outlets that strive for objectivity and media outlets that oppose him, particularly within social media outlets that aim for impartial coverage. I consulted various media experts as to what we might expect over the coming four years with Trump as president. After Donald Trump won, many in right-wing media began suggesting mainstream media no longer have relevance; Matt Walsh from Daily Wire podcaster Daily Wire tweeted this after it became official: “Legacy media has died. Congratulations Donald!” Trump declared war against media in 2016; now they no longer matter. Stelter wrote in his newsletter: “That may seem like wishful thinking on Walsh’s part; Tuesday’s marathon election coverage proved the importance of media to many Americans — yet many Trump voters share Walsh’s sentiment; they believe national news media plays a large part in creating division in American society. Stelter noted a quote in a New Yorker article by Charlotte Klein which illustrated how many readers distrusted what they read or didn’t even bother reading certain texts at all. To address that problem, Stelter offered this strategy for change: “Click on Charlotte Klein’s name from my article in New Yorker.” Klein was told by an anonymous TV executive: If half the nation has decided that Trump qualifies to become president, that means they are no longer reading mainstream media – we have lost this audience entirely.” A Trump victory means it would likely end its current form and eventually fade into history. Stelter explained, “‘Dead’ may be dramatic hyperbole but many members of the media feel an immense distrust exists between Trump supporters and major institutional news sources.” As reported by Semafor’s David Weigel, another discussion among Democrats might focus on remnants of mainstream media that has had less and less of an influence over time. Former Republicans would turn out in droves on Harris-friendly cable news networks to express their shock over who Donald Trump was and his actions; on social media and podcasts favored by Republicans however, all this talk seemed disconnected from what voters really cared about – could there be an effect from Trump himself? Could we see similar increases in newspaper and website subscriptions and television audiences that we witnessed when Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016? Numerous experts told The New York Times’ Benjamin Mullin that Trump’s victory could result in an immediate boost for news organizations. Mullin added, “Cable news ratings, subscriptions to digital news organizations and charitable giving may all increase as audiences evaluate a news-rich postelection environment. But that excitement may wane over time as viewers tire of being bombarded by constant news updates. Frank Sesno, professor at George Washington University and former Washington bureau chief for CNN (and Poynter National Advisory Board member), told Mullin that Trump 2.0 may offer drastically different results and news value than we previously witnessed under Obama. These changes will have immense ramifications. Jeff Bezos of Washington Post fame was shown here in March (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP). Last month, The Washington Post editorial board had planned on endorsing Kamala Harris for president; however, Post owner Bezos blocked their endorsement by refusing the signatures required to officially approve such action. (EVAN AGOSTINI/Invision/AP). Bezos may have been concerned that endorsing Harris would put him into conflict with Donald Trump; therefore denying her endorsement might appear as if Bezos had supported Trump instead of Harris. Two members of the Post’s editorial board left, two columnists quit altogether and its decision not to endorse was strongly condemned by Marty Baron – once an esteemed executive editor at the paper as well as legendary journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Reports indicated that over 250,000 subscribers cancelled their subscriptions following Bezos’ decision, explaining his reasoning by writing an essay detailing why presidential endorsements do not sway elections; rather they just add bias perception. Bezos made another public announcement Wednesday regarding his intention of ending any perception of non-independence among employees at Amazon. This decision, too, was founded and right. Bezos offered his congratulations for Trump in a tweet sent on X. In it he wrote “Big congratulations to our 45th and now 47th President on an extraordinary political comeback and decisive win. No nation offers greater possibilities – I wish him every success as leader of and unifier of our beloved America!” Bezos’ tweet prompted thousands upon thousands of responses – most criticizing his business practices – on social media, as well as additional news coverage about Trump, Harris and their respective presidential bids… If you have feedback or tips regarding any media issue please email Poynter senior media writer Tom Jones directly via his [email protected] email address; alternatively subscribe here to The Poynter Report which delivers daily media news updates weekly directly into your inbox from Monday – Friday!