Trump a Free Press Threat?

by Stephen Lendman

Media most Americans rely on for news and information are controlled, not free - propaganda, not legitimate journalism on major world and national issues, including deplorable US electoral coverage. 

Claiming Trump threatens press freedom flies in the face of reality. Accusations without evidence have no credibility. 

In a Thursday statement, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) shamelessly accused him of "consistently betray(ing) First Amendment values."

"On October 6, (its) board of directors passed a resolution declaring (him) an unprecedented threat to the rights of journalists and to CPJ's ability to advocate for press freedom around the world."

"Since the beginning of his candidacy, Trump has insulted and vilified the press and has made his opposition to the media a centerpiece of his campaign." 

"Trump has routinely labeled the press as 'dishonest' and 'scum' and singled out individual news organizations and journalists."

The New York Times wages daily war on Trump - along with other media scoundrels, an unprecedented assault, inventing ways to vilifying him.

Its latest editorial broadside headlined Donald Trump vs. a Free Press," shamelessly called him "as ignorant about constitutional law as he is about every other matter pertinent to the nation's highest office."

Scoffing at his calling The Times "libelous," "reckless," "defamatory," and "politically-motivated…to defeat (his) candidacy" ignores its disgraceful one-sided reporting throughout the campaign. The same holds for all US media scoundrels.

Trump justifiably attacked a media machine mobilized against him, vilifying him relentlessly, mocking what legitimate journalism is supposed to be all about - in contrast to press agent reporting for Hillary, actively promoting her candidacy.

On World Press Freedom Day last May, John Kerry ignored US double standards, saying "no government…can fairly claim respect if its citizens are not allowed to say what they believe or denied the right to learn about events and decisions that affect their lives." 

Earlier the State Department "call(ed) on all governments to protect the universal human right of freedom of expression."

Under Bush and Obama, America became the most secretive, intrusive, freedom-destroying government in US history.

Tyranny replaced constitutional rights. Journalists and whistleblowers exposing government wrongdoing risk prosecution and imprisonment.

Obama's Justice Department used the long ago outdated 1917 Espionage Act to prosecute more whistleblowers than all his predecessors combined.

Compromised free expression endangers all other rights. Big Brother surveillance watches everyone. Privacy rights no longer exist - nor other constitutionally guaranteed ones.

Powerful interests control media in America, turning press freedom into mind-manipulating propaganda.

Speaking in West Palm Beach, FL on Thursday, Trump was right, saying America's "corrupt political establishment…is the greatest power behind the efforts at radical globalization and the disenfranchisement of working people."

"Their financial resources are virtually unlimited, their political resources are unlimited, their media resources are unmatched, and most importantly, the depths of their immorality is absolutely unlimited."

He highlighted the "illusion of democracy," things controlled "by a small handful of global special interests rigging the system."

"The corporate media in our country are no longer involved in journalism. They're a political special interest (mobilized) to elect crooked Hillary at any cost, at any price, no matter how many lives they destroy."

He called attacks on him "absolutely hurtful," publicly smearing him, saying anything to undermine his campaign.

They've been effective. With November 8 approaching, Hillary looks almost certain to become America's 45th president. Her ascension to power should terrify everyone.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

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