First, Happy 4th of July to all our American Steemers.
I am actually looking to see what people think about the gif that has been circulating of Pres. Trump body slamming and punching a man with his head covered by a CNN logo.
I am a journalist.
I do my best to report as fairly as possible when I am working on a story.
This image concerns and upsets me on a variety of levels. First and foremost, the fact that POTUS is attacking a person representing the news media is frustrating because those reporters are just doing their jobs. Yes, there is media bias. there always has been and always will be, but that doesn't mean it is fake. These people, both right and left leaning, are bending the story. Neither is more or less correct - they are usually just reporting on different aspects of the same story. Watch the networks. You will see what I mean. Media bias is not fake news - it is the human element. These companies have fact-checkers, editors and journalists that all go over the facts to make sure that they are correct, not only to make sure the story is factual, but also to protect the company from getting sued.
One of the scariest things about this situation is how his cabinet and senators are standing up for it blindly. When you see a picture of the POTUS pummeling "CNN guy," it comes off as aggressive or even threatening. Freedom of the press is a fundamental American right, and in this gif we see Trump literally beating the snot out of it. His people say it isn't a threat. Ok, it might not be a threat, but it is threatening.
Today is the Fourth of July. Today is the day you celebrate your freedom. Freedom of the press is a part of that. This gif is, in my opinion, just a bunch of posturing paired with threatening, bullying tactics.
What are your thoughts? I would love to hear (respectful) differing opinions or even please share if I missed something.
