Why not work together on a string of questions not letting up until Leavitt cancels the briefing? Why not boycott the briefings and collectively go somewhere else or have the WHCA open their own press briefing space and ask leaders to rotate through? That they continue to sit in front of Leavitt and publish her lies is not journalism when her statements are so demonstrably false or without evidence. That journalists did not stand with their ostracized AP counterparts (even after the court’s decision to reinstate) were among the first capitulations—and of course, little analyzed by the media.
Brilliant action plan. He only has the power to cause harm if we give it to him, and no one needs to do that. The people, the senate, the congress, big law firms, the courts, educational systems, medical systems - all need to stand up and say Oh, hell no. (The cowardice is really quite ridiculous.)
Very good!! Why has the major media capitulated in advance? Be like Harvard! Be like the governors. Be like the state departments of education, refusing to bow to edicts.
At Saturday's protest, several handmade signs incorporated your advice with powerful effectiveness:
"Fascism is bad for your health and for the health of all living creatures."
"Fascism is bad for the planet."
"Trump is bad for your children and grandchildren."
"Trump is just as bad for your family as he is for our democracy."
After posting several photos on my Facebook page, I discovered many other examples of creative, humorous, and memorable messaging. The demonstration proved two important points: protestors can indeed be more entertaining than Trump himself, and activists are equally capable of leveraging social media for maximum impact.
These signs succeeded by connecting abstract political concerns to personal impacts, making complex issues immediately relatable. The most effective messages linked threats to democracy with threats to family wellbeing, creating emotional resonance beyond purely political arguments.
The creativity displayed shows that resistance movements find their voice through wit and clarity rather than anger.
I also saw a post with a list of pictures of people’s signs. All of the signs I saw were very creative and I also think the three major TV channels ABC, CBS, and NBC should run a 10 minute montage of all these signs, the people’s faces, and even some interviews on TV. 10 minutes! 10 lousy minutes…
The problem is these same news organizations are owned by billionaires who either support Trump or are afraid of being sued! ABC was the first to kiss the ring and settle for millions over the Stephanopoulos comment. Instead of fighting him they rolled over and gave in.
This is why I do not have confidence in Harvard. They did the right thing in this case, but any person or institution with billions of dollars has too much to lose and will roll over for Trump, Ackman, etc. One of the risks of immense inequality is the prevalence of "too big to fail" institutions.
I believe newspapers have lost subscribers over their bias toward autocracy. Very interesting. So many people have lost their trust in newspapers to report news.
A subtle corruption of language that drives me nuts is the ubiquitous use of "deal." It's mafia speak. Whatever happened to "agreement" or "negotiation?" And you are so right about the softball questions and the nodding along to nonsense. I wish Americans were more like the Brits, who say straight up, "No, that's not true" and "You haven't answered my question." I think today's reporters want access, not answers. They are playing a dangerous game.
Thanks for this. Needs to be seen by ALL "legacy media." I, like so many others, just stopped watching cable news because of the sane-washing even before the election.
Then the Post & both coastal Times fell to billionaire censors. There was pretty much no where to turn. The Meidas Network, fired journalists of substance, & other substack outlets began publishing REAL NEWS -- which was a huge help in keeping us informed. Without the drumb
eat of THESE outlets, the American Auschwitz in El Salvador would still not have any coverage.
The collapse of the Democratic Party has gone hand-in-hand with that of those older "news" outlets. So many Dems have no idea how to use it -- some are learning, though (Chris van Hollen).
Yes, when it's over we'll have to reconstruct news media in this country -- whether that's five or fifty years from now, who knows?
No, there is a comma between "The Meidas Network" and "fired journalists of substance". I think he means that they are both sources of "REAL NEWS", not that the first fired the second.
I like the idea of boycotting the briefings, but would add a shadow press secretary who honestly and fully answers each question asked of Leavitt. She/he can run the shadow presser immediately following Leavitt, put it on a 24/7 online feed on X, etc.
That quote from NPR public editor Kelly McBride is mind-blowingly stupid. Any news person who thinks like that is in the wrong business. They'd do better in PR.
Assuming we get through this with our tattered democracy somewhat intact, the legacy media, the legal establishment, and a number of (supposedly) top universities need to do a reckoning along the order of the Warren Commission, the 9/11 Commission, and the House special committee on 1/6/2021. I'm not at all sure they can be trusted to look themselves in the mirror, but that's a place to start.
Congressional hearings wouldn't be a bad idea either, but I don't want the current Senate Democratic leadership in charge. Seriously, it's like democracy has been devoured by termites when we weren't paying (enough) attention.
RE: "lose the weasel wording". YES! Mainstream news needs to dip into and take a crash course in Anat Osorio-Shenker's terrificly helpful "Freedom Over Fascism Toolkit". Stop with the euphemisms and start calling this what it is...not what it's not. (Double goes for the Democratic party.) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s0JbXhND7-1iqABNcUNL031NQLxkLfr-USkCKGZTidI/edit?tab=t.0
This is excellent. Thank you. I especially like the part about what news associations should do at press briefings. If enough get "kicked out" that will be a big story.
Trump's answers often show that he has no knowledge of history, for example, saying a victory was "the largest ever." Reporters should ask him questions like, "Can you tell us how you DETERMINED that it was the largest ever?" or "Can you tell us the SOURCE of your claim? Or should we report that your statement is just innocent hyperbole?" (Or "just New Yorkers' hyperbole?")
As a former WH Correspondent (Clinton), I could not agree more. At this point, the legitimate journalists are playing the roles of props for Leavitt & Company's propaganda staging. Do not comply.
Why not work together on a string of questions not letting up until Leavitt cancels the briefing? Why not boycott the briefings and collectively go somewhere else or have the WHCA open their own press briefing space and ask leaders to rotate through? That they continue to sit in front of Leavitt and publish her lies is not journalism when her statements are so demonstrably false or without evidence. That journalists did not stand with their ostracized AP counterparts (even after the court’s decision to reinstate) were among the first capitulations—and of course, little analyzed by the media.
Brilliant action plan. He only has the power to cause harm if we give it to him, and no one needs to do that. The people, the senate, the congress, big law firms, the courts, educational systems, medical systems - all need to stand up and say Oh, hell no. (The cowardice is really quite ridiculous.)
Very good!! Why has the major media capitulated in advance? Be like Harvard! Be like the governors. Be like the state departments of education, refusing to bow to edicts.
At Saturday's protest, several handmade signs incorporated your advice with powerful effectiveness:
"Fascism is bad for your health and for the health of all living creatures."
"Fascism is bad for the planet."
"Trump is bad for your children and grandchildren."
"Trump is just as bad for your family as he is for our democracy."
After posting several photos on my Facebook page, I discovered many other examples of creative, humorous, and memorable messaging. The demonstration proved two important points: protestors can indeed be more entertaining than Trump himself, and activists are equally capable of leveraging social media for maximum impact.
These signs succeeded by connecting abstract political concerns to personal impacts, making complex issues immediately relatable. The most effective messages linked threats to democracy with threats to family wellbeing, creating emotional resonance beyond purely political arguments.
The creativity displayed shows that resistance movements find their voice through wit and clarity rather than anger.
I also saw a post with a list of pictures of people’s signs. All of the signs I saw were very creative and I also think the three major TV channels ABC, CBS, and NBC should run a 10 minute montage of all these signs, the people’s faces, and even some interviews on TV. 10 minutes! 10 lousy minutes…
One my favorites was from a few weeks back here in Waterloo: "EVEN THE INTROVERTS ARE HERE!" :)
The problem is these same news organizations are owned by billionaires who either support Trump or are afraid of being sued! ABC was the first to kiss the ring and settle for millions over the Stephanopoulos comment. Instead of fighting him they rolled over and gave in.
This is why I do not have confidence in Harvard. They did the right thing in this case, but any person or institution with billions of dollars has too much to lose and will roll over for Trump, Ackman, etc. One of the risks of immense inequality is the prevalence of "too big to fail" institutions.
I believe newspapers have lost subscribers over their bias toward autocracy. Very interesting. So many people have lost their trust in newspapers to report news.
A subtle corruption of language that drives me nuts is the ubiquitous use of "deal." It's mafia speak. Whatever happened to "agreement" or "negotiation?" And you are so right about the softball questions and the nodding along to nonsense. I wish Americans were more like the Brits, who say straight up, "No, that's not true" and "You haven't answered my question." I think today's reporters want access, not answers. They are playing a dangerous game.
Thanks for this. Needs to be seen by ALL "legacy media." I, like so many others, just stopped watching cable news because of the sane-washing even before the election.
Then the Post & both coastal Times fell to billionaire censors. There was pretty much no where to turn. The Meidas Network, fired journalists of substance, & other substack outlets began publishing REAL NEWS -- which was a huge help in keeping us informed. Without the drumb
eat of THESE outlets, the American Auschwitz in El Salvador would still not have any coverage.
The collapse of the Democratic Party has gone hand-in-hand with that of those older "news" outlets. So many Dems have no idea how to use it -- some are learning, though (Chris van Hollen).
Yes, when it's over we'll have to reconstruct news media in this country -- whether that's five or fifty years from now, who knows?
This essay would be a good starting point.
I think you meant that Meidas Network hired (not fired) journalists of substance. You can edit using the three dots on the right.
No, there is a comma between "The Meidas Network" and "fired journalists of substance". I think he means that they are both sources of "REAL NEWS", not that the first fired the second.
Thank you. The comma is very small on my computer screen.
I like the idea of boycotting the briefings, but would add a shadow press secretary who honestly and fully answers each question asked of Leavitt. She/he can run the shadow presser immediately following Leavitt, put it on a 24/7 online feed on X, etc.
Lucid, pointed, plain-spoken, excellent patriotic action agenda. Thanks!
"Say directly that Trump is overthrowing democracy." What, implying it 24/7 isn't enough? : )
That quote from NPR public editor Kelly McBride is mind-blowingly stupid. Any news person who thinks like that is in the wrong business. They'd do better in PR.
Assuming we get through this with our tattered democracy somewhat intact, the legacy media, the legal establishment, and a number of (supposedly) top universities need to do a reckoning along the order of the Warren Commission, the 9/11 Commission, and the House special committee on 1/6/2021. I'm not at all sure they can be trusted to look themselves in the mirror, but that's a place to start.
Congressional hearings wouldn't be a bad idea either, but I don't want the current Senate Democratic leadership in charge. Seriously, it's like democracy has been devoured by termites when we weren't paying (enough) attention.
You're giving great advice! I hope the publishers and owners of our mainstream media corporations have the wits to heed it!
RE: "lose the weasel wording". YES! Mainstream news needs to dip into and take a crash course in Anat Osorio-Shenker's terrificly helpful "Freedom Over Fascism Toolkit". Stop with the euphemisms and start calling this what it is...not what it's not. (Double goes for the Democratic party.) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s0JbXhND7-1iqABNcUNL031NQLxkLfr-USkCKGZTidI/edit?tab=t.0
This is excellent. Thank you. I especially like the part about what news associations should do at press briefings. If enough get "kicked out" that will be a big story.
Trump's answers often show that he has no knowledge of history, for example, saying a victory was "the largest ever." Reporters should ask him questions like, "Can you tell us how you DETERMINED that it was the largest ever?" or "Can you tell us the SOURCE of your claim? Or should we report that your statement is just innocent hyperbole?" (Or "just New Yorkers' hyperbole?")
As a former WH Correspondent (Clinton), I could not agree more. At this point, the legitimate journalists are playing the roles of props for Leavitt & Company's propaganda staging. Do not comply.