World's press writes to Trump calling end to 'fake news' slurs
The editors-in-chief have called for Trump to welcome criticism on him
(Web Desk) – Some of the media outlets’ heads from across the world have urged United States President, Donald J. Trump to stop using the term ‘fake news’ for certain agencies and not deprive them of reporting White House briefings.
Around 40 editors-in-chief, publishers and Chief Executive Officers of different media outlets have signed a letter addressed to the US commander in chief expressing concerns over barring certain journalists from covering routinely White House briefing.
“Mr President, we are dismayed to hear your frequent comments since being elected to office disparaging media and targeting individual outlets seemingly for no other reason than personal retribution for critical reporting of you or your administration,” the letter stated.
The note further states: “We remind you that it is the role of a free press, protected under the 1st Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, and Article 19 of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to subject government and the actions of elected officials to the highest standards of scrutiny and accountability.”
The letter quotes one of Trump’s tweet the crux of which he later articulated at the Conservative Political Action Conference on February 24, 2017. He had stated: “The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People!”
The letter holds tone of US President’s certain comments as ‘inflammatory’ at a time when journalists and media personnel are being targeted for violent reprisals.
The editors-in-chief have called for Trump to welcome criticism on him as free media triggers highest standards of governance through critique.
“Media should not be seen as a hindrance to achieving this (highest standards of governance), and therefore we urge you to reconsider the language you use in order to better reflect this and to ensure the channels of power remain open and accessible to all media.”
Ever since Trump assumed office of the President of the United States, he has indulged himself in calling out on journalists belonging to several news agencies terming them fake news sources.
The US President had also passed such remarks during his campaigns across the country ahead of the elections.
Read the letter here:
