The New Trier Examiner 7 Trump’s turbulent media relations Many critical media outlets have been labeled “fake news” by Helen Fagan Donald Trump, for many rea- sons, has been a President that will be remembered for the ages for how he has transformed the duty of the Pres- idency. His relationship with the media speaks to this. Not only is Trump one of the most critical presidents of the media the U.S. has ever seen, his presence in the media shows that his relationship with the institution is very love-hate. Trump, unlike other presidents, has declared an unofficial “war on media.” Tweets such as ones calling some of the nation’s most prestigious news sources as “FAKE NEWS” is an act that some find troubling. Tweets from President Trump’s personal all posted after his Inuagural all with the same dissaproving attitude towards the media Twitter One could argue that Trump’s hating on the media is discouraging with the media has been turbulent, the tweet below). relationship with the media is note- Through Twitter, Trump is steer- from seeking out, learning his actions toward the media are not See, Donald Trump is not mo- worthy, is not one-sided. Some say ing the American public to look at all sides of, and publishing stories. all bad. tivating the American people to stop that Trump is “declaring war on the certain news sites and not others— It has also encourage journalists The President is not attempting reading the news, he simply is look- media” by his attacks against certain whether or not this is “declaring war” to publish biased stories, as it is likely to discourage news entirely, or com- ing to steer the public to certain news media sites. on the media is up to you to decide. that Trump will not call stories that mit dictator-like actions that ban free sites, as seen by the tweet that implies But “declaring war” implies portray him in a positive light “fake speech. President Trump is not at war that Fox News wrote a more complete annihilation of the opponent, and news.” against all media, only the outlets he story as opposed to “Fake News.” Trump is not looking to completely Though Trump’s relationship prefers such as Fox News (as seen by Thus, Donald Trump, though his overtake the media. New technology allows anyone to be a civilian reporter With the rise of tech- nology based report- ing, it seems like any- one can be a reporter by Beth Wall

Gone are the days when journal- ism required a newspaper. Or even an education in . Smartphone video recordings, live Twitter updates, and public blog posts all fit under the umbrella of “”. Essentially, citizen journalism is news that is collected, organized, and analyzed, by citizens, for citizens. It is a concept that has risen in popularity as digital media and on- line communications become more integrated into modern life. However, the validity of citizen journalism is a topic of much con- tention. Its critics most prominently consist of “professional” journal- ists--those who write news for a New apps are being designed that allow average civilians to film or photograph events and send them directly to different media outlets Pheonix New Times living. Journalism is A Catastrophe Right Not only did her work illustrate are waging to suppress individuals’ of the Ferguson protests, were At a 2009 hearing on “The Now,” enumerated several problems an explicit picture of a life most freedom to think, speak, and act.” crowned Howard Zinn Freedom to Future of Journalism” David Simon, with modern citizen journalism. readers would never know other- More and more prominent jour- Write Award winners--a prize which Baltimore Sun reporter and creator “Things are so much faster than wise, but her death sparked outrage nalism establishments are starting is awarded to writer activists and of The Wire, said, they have ever been. Misinformation among advocates of free speech. to grasp the full potential of citizen proponents of free speech. “I am offended to think that spreads within seconds of being journalism. Though the increase in civilian anyone, anywhere believes American posted and can’t be stuffed back It’s becoming obvious that there reporting has its benefits, media institutions as insulated, self-pre- “fake news” epidemic whence it came,” said Singal. is no stopping civilians from tapping outlets can’t ensure that all reporting serving and self-justifying as police On the other hand, many is causing major pro- or photographing events on their is factual and true. departments, school systems, legis- believe that amateur journalism em- own personal devices. The “fake news” epidemic is latures and, chief executives can be bodies what the industry is meant to fessional media outlets People no longer need the news causing major professional media held to gathered facts by amateurs do--provide truthful insight into the when they can open their phone and outlets to create programs to assist pursuing the task without compen- to create programs to lives of citizens. Who better to do so instantly be informed about every- citizen reporters. sation, training or for that matter, than citizens themselves? assist citizen reporters thing they want. CNN’s “iReport” is one such sufficient standing to make public With the political turmoil News outlets are aware of this, example. iReport is an online service officials even care to whom it is they increasing throughout the world, the Citizen reporting offers a voice and many have started programs that which fact-checks, and potentially are lying to.” idea of citizens reporting first hand for the oppressed and a way for the deal directly with citizens in order to publishes, stories, photo albums, and Many accomplished journal- what they see seems like the only rest of the world to peer into the stay connected at all times. opinions submitted by eyewitnesses. ists see the problems with citizen way to get the fastest up-to-date private lives of those who would The tech world, as well, have According to the CNN website, reporting. news. otherwise be silenced. begun to take advantage of the iReport is an “invitation to share the Not only does it leave the pos- One such citizen reporter was Irina Bokova, head of the UN- possible market by creating apps that stories that matter to you.” siblity for loopholes in a story, but it Ruqia Hassan, a citizen reporter ESCO agency, said, “I wish to pay allow average people to take videos In 2011, the “iReport Awards”, also strenthens the “fake news” ar- from , , who, before tribute to this ’s courageous and pictures and have them sent which prize excellence in citizen gument that has been deligitimizing being captured and subsequently stand for human rights and funda- directly to news outlets. journalism, were introduced, further- many prominent news organizations murdered by ISIL, blogged about mental freedoms in the most difficult In 2015, Johnetta Elzie and ing CNN’s initiative to take citizen for the past year. the inhumane conditions the people of circumstances. DeRay McKesson, two social ac- reporters seriously. New York Magazine writer Jes- of her city were subjected to under Her defiance of the brutal tivists most widely known for their se Singal, in an article titled “Citizen Islamic State command. campaign that violent extremists presence on Twitter and coverage