GUEST BLOG / By John
M. Donnelly, National Press Club, Washington DC.
The National Press
Club raised concerns recentl about President-elect Donald Trump's continual use
of the phrase “fake news” to criticize news stories that he disagrees with or
that displease him. In his Jan. 11 press conference, Trump refused to field
questions from certain reporters, accusing one journalist of working for a
"terrible" organization and referring to an outlet represented by
reporters at the event as "fake news."
Outgoing
National Press Club President Thomas Burr issued the following statement:
“With
the proliferation of false news stories dotting the Internet, it is important
for American leaders to discern the difference and not intentionally conflate
misleading and fake stories from dogged and investigative news that is
fundamental to our country.
“It
is dangerous and unhealthy to declare a news item as 'fake news' to distract
from facts that you may not like or don't favor your perspective. Our incoming
president must treat the news media as the vital cornerstone of our democracy
that it is. To label something as 'fake' in an effort to undermine news outlets
endangers the trust granted journalists by the public and is antithetical to
our country's values.
“To
be sure, news organizations make honest mistakes and when they learn they've
done so, they correct them. That is entirely different from web sites that
deliberately disseminate false information. The president-elect appears to be
conflating the two in an attempt to discredit news organizations whose coverage
displeases him. Doing so may foment a dangerous disrespect for journalists who,
however flawed, are merely doing their best to inform the public. Presidents
shouldn't get to pick and choose which reporters' questions they will answer
based on what news outlet for which they work. Doing so now is inappropriate
and will do unprecedented damage to our democracy.”
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.
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