The American media is often hailed as the “watchdog” of democracy, tasked with holding those in power accountable and reporting the truth to the public. However, in recent years, it seems that the mainstream media has failed to live up to this role, especially when it comes to the current administration. We’ve seen time and time again, the media bending over backwards to appease President Trump, but this past week, there was an even greater display of corporate media capitulation that went virtually unnoticed.
While many were focused on Jimmy Kimmel’s tearful opening monologue about the gun control debate, something much more insidious was happening behind the scenes. The President of the United States was attacking the free speech rights of a Palestinian-American journalist, Mahmoud Khalil, and the mainstream media barely made a peep.
For those who may not be aware, Mahmoud Khalil is an independent journalist and activist who has been critical of the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians. He has been a frequent guest on various news outlets, discussing his personal experiences and perspective on the ongoing conflict. However, his social media posts caught the attention of President Trump, and things quickly escalated from there.
In a string of tweets, Trump accused Khalil of being anti-Semitic and called for his employer, Qatar-based news network Al Jazeera, to fire him. This blatant attack on the free speech rights of a journalist, who was exercising his right to express his opinions, should have caused a wave of outrage in the media. After all, journalists are supposed to be protected from government interference, and it is their duty to provide a platform for diverse perspectives to be heard.
But instead, the mainstream media largely remained silent. It seemed as though they were more interested in keeping their cushy relationships with the administration, rather than standing up for the principles of a free press. Their silence was deafening, and it was made all the more troubling by the fact that it was so easily overshadowed by reports of another celebrity feud.
Jimmy Kimmel’s emotional monologue about gun control was indeed important and powerful. However, it should not have been the biggest headline of the week. The fact that President Trump was actively trying to silence a journalist’s free speech rights should have been the top story, but it was barely mentioned.
Thankfully, there are still a few outlets that are not backing down in the face of government pressure. The Intercept, an award-winning investigative news outlet, published an article that shed light on this important development. They highlighted the dangerous precedent that Trump’s attack on Khalil’s free speech rights sets, as well as discussing the troubling role of the media in all of this.
The Intercept also criticized the corporate media for their lack of coverage, stating that “instead of standing up for the principles of a free press, much of the corporate media has chosen to remain silent, or worse, actively support the President’s attack.” This is a shameful display from the very institutions that are supposed to be the guardians of democracy.
It’s time for the media to wake up and remember their vital role in society. They cannot afford to ignore attacks on journalists and their free speech rights, especially when it is done by those in positions of power. The American public relies on the media to hold the government accountable, and that cannot happen if they are too afraid to speak up.
In the current political climate, it is more important than ever for the media to be vigilant and fearless in their reporting. They must not be swayed by the interests of those in power, but rather stand firmly on the side of truth and justice. It’s time for the mainstream media to earn back the trust of the American people by being the watchdogs they were meant to be.
In conclusion, while Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue may have garnered all the attention, the real news story of the week was President Trump’s attack on Mahmoud Khalil’s free speech rights. The mainstream media’s silence on this issue is a worrying sign, and it’s time for them to step up and fulfill their duty to the public. As for those still standing up for the principles of a free press, like The Intercept, we must support and amplify their voices. The truth cannot be silenced, and we must continue to fight for the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press, no matter who is in power.
