Pulitzer Prize-winning former Washington Post editor Marty Baron issued a compelling warning on Saturday about the potential threats to press freedom posed by President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming administration.
In an insightful interview with CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour, Baron expressed deep concerns that the new administration is eager to “prosecute” and persecute journalists. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, he pointed out that Trump’s recent FBI nominee, Kash Patel, has previously committed to prosecuting journalists who supported President Joe Biden after the 2020 election.
With nearly a decade of experience at the Washington Post, Baron emphasized that this administration might employ various strategies to stifle dissenting voices in journalism, such as revoking licenses for stations affiliated with major networks.
It is crucial for us all to remain vigilant and advocate for the protection of press freedom during these challenging times.
AMANPOUR: So lay out how you think the next administration can come after us. I mean, it is us in the big sense. What tools can they use?
BARON: Yeah, well, I think sure, they have a lot of tools in their toolbox and I think they will use every single one of them. That’s already evident from the measures that they are promising to take. I think they are salivating for the opportunity to prosecute journalists for leaks of supposed national security information.
I think that they’ve already threatened to revoke the licenses for stations affiliated with the over some of the major networks. They are already, as you mentioned, are likely to sue a lot of a lot of media outlets for supposed defamation and other supposed offenses.
I suspect a lot of the wealthy allies of Donald Trump will underwrite those those lawsuits. I suspect that they will deny information to major media outlets routinely. I suspect that they will threaten advertisers from major media outlets as well.
So, they will do everything to undermine public confidence in the press, to further undermine public confidence in the press and undermine its economic sustainability.
Watch the clip via CNN.
Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House has raised significant concerns about the future of press freedom in the United States. His past actions and recent statements indicate a potential escalation of hostility towards journalists and news organizations during his second term.
This action is reminiscent of dictatorships of the past and present, including Adolf Hitler in Germany, Saddam Hussein in Iraq, Kim Jong-Un in North Korea, and Vladimir Putin in Russia.
Trump has consistently targeted the media with extreme rhetoric, labeling journalists as “enemies of the people” and popularizing the term “fake news.”
From September to October 2024, Reporters Without Borders documented 108 instances where Trump insulted, attacked, or threatened the press in his public addresses. This inflammatory language from the highest office poses a significant threat to journalists’ safety and undermines the public’s right to information.
The incoming administration is expected to pursue various legal avenues to intimidate and silence the press with defamation lawsuits. He has threatened to “open up libel laws” and file numerous lawsuits against journalists and news organizations. The recent $15 million settlement by ABC News in a defamation suit brought by Trump has raised concerns that such settlements may embolden further legal actions.
There are also fears that Trump may repeal protections against federal surveillance of journalists and potentially prosecute them directly for publishing classified information. And Senator John Kennedy has introduced a bill to end taxpayer funding for public radio and television, a longstanding Republican goal that may gain momentum under Trump’s administration.
What about Trump’s nominees?
Trump’s appointments to key positions signal potential regulatory challenges for the media. For instance, Kash Patel, Trump’s choice to lead the FBI, has expressed intentions to “come after people in the media who lied about American citizens.” Brendan Carr as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and Kari Lake as director of Voice of America may implement policies hostile to press freedom.
Impact on Journalism
The combined effect of these threats could significantly impact journalism in the United States:
-Increased self-censorship due to fear of legal repercussions
-Financial strain on news organizations from defending against lawsuits
-Potential chilling effect on investigative journalism and whistleblower protections
-Erosion of public trust in media institutions
Press freedom organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, have urged the incoming administration to change its approach toward the media and create a supportive environment for a diverse and robust news landscape. However, given Trump’s past behavior and recent statements, there is significant concern that press freedom will face unprecedented challenges in the coming years.