-Source-Real Clear Politics-
Journalists serve an integral function in democratic societies by informing the public on issues central to democracy, thus helping them hold powerful officials and institutions accountable. They defend what is true and right, or call attention to what is wrong, in the world.
The work isn’t easy, and admittedly requires a thick skin, especially given the scathing criticism they now receive just for doing their jobs. To compound the challenges they face, they also are up against the master of the “fake news” insurrection.
When President Trump tweets, people listen. His @realdonaldtrump account has approximately 53.2 million followers, and counting. And the most influential and least well-known group of followers are actually the reporters assigned to cover him.
Trump’s use of Twitter draws a lot of attention, positive or not, and my research shows that his influence and reach outstrip many in the media. I found that while political journalists seldom mentioned Trump’s tweets directly, numerous online news reporters regularly react to, correct, contextualize, or otherwise amplify something the president says.
A report by the New York Times concluded that Trump received nearly $2 billion worth of free media coverage during the 2016 presidential primary race alone. If his tweets are media spectacle designed to draw attention to, or away from, various issues, then many reporters appear to have taken the bait. Read more
Comments