Trump to target much of the media in second term? Experts say it could be a case of 'Death by a thousand cuts'
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Trump’s History with the Media
During his first term, Trump frequently clashed with journalists, calling the press the “enemy of the people” and excluding reporters from official briefings. His confrontational rhetoric against the media, including recent remarks about journalists, has raised alarms about potential future attacks on press freedom.
Experts point to authoritarian leaders in Europe as examples of how media suppression can unfold. Countries like Russia, Hungary, and India have used various methods to silence dissenting voices, including pressuring media owners and using legal challenges to limit reporting. Sharon Moshavi, President of the International Center for Journalists, describes this as “death by a thousand cuts,” where press freedom is attacked through multiple, indirect methods, rather than direct censorship.
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Trump’s strategy may involve applying pressure on media owners to induce self-censorship, similar to what has been seen in other nations. Moshavi highlighted how corporate owners, who rely on government access for business interests, may force reporters to soften their coverage. This indirect pressure on the media can lead to diminished independent reporting and reduced transparency.
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