Media Organizations Brace for Legal and Political Challenges Under Trump

[Social Media]

 

As the United States prepares for the return of Donald J. Trump to the White House, media organizations are fortifying themselves against what they anticipate could be a significant legal and political onslaught from the new administration. The fear of increased federal leak investigations and subpoenas has prompted reporters and editors at major newspapers to heighten their use of encrypted communications, aiming to protect themselves and their sources.

 

National media outlets are also reassessing their insurance coverage to ensure they are prepared for a possible surge in libel and other lawsuits from officials known for their litigious tendencies. Meanwhile, a nonprofit investigative journalism group is bracing for potential government scrutiny over its employment of freelancers, a move possibly aimed at challenging its compliance with labor laws.

 

The climate of anticipation stems from Mr. Trump’s long-standing antagonism toward the press, which he has frequently labeled “the enemy of the people.” His history of suing news organizations and barring unfavorable journalists from White House events has set a precedent that media entities now fear will escalate. Early signs suggest that his administration could adopt an even more combative stance against the press. Kash Patel, Trump’s pick for FBI director, has indicated that the new administration would target media personnel. Similarly, Brendan Carr, expected to chair the Federal Communications Commission, has suggested revoking broadcast licenses for stations perceived as biased against conservatives.

 

Although Mr. Trump is known for hyperbolic statements, media professionals are treating these threats with gravity. The potential for such aggressive measures is reshaping how journalists operate even before the administration formally begins. George Freeman, executive director of the Media Law Resource Center, compared the situation to preparing for an impending natural disaster without knowing its exact trajectory or intensity. "It’s a matter of guesswork right now, but people are still boarding up their houses," Freeman noted.

 

In response to these threats, legal teams and editors at prominent publications like The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press, The New Yorker, and ProPublica have advised reporters to mitigate risks of exposure to subpoenas. This includes increased use of encrypted messaging apps like Signal for communicating with sources and, at times, among newsroom staff. Reporters have also been cautioned against storing sensitive materials on cloud platforms, which could be vulnerable to federal subpoenas directed at tech giants like Apple, Google, and Amazon. In some cases, journalists are being encouraged to dispose of notes and sensitive documents more swiftly after publication.

 

Smaller news organizations are equally vigilant, implementing similar protective measures to safeguard their operations. As Mr. Trump's administration looms, the media is bracing itself for a challenging landscape, taking proactive steps to secure the integrity of their reporting and the confidentiality of their sources.

 

Based on a report by NYT 2024-01-16

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

. Kash Patel, Trump’s pick for FBI director, has indicated that the new administration would target media personnel.

Bring it on!

[scottiejohn]

58 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Bring it on!

Do you not believe in a free press and the First Amendment?

[Wrwest]

MAGA!!! I don't know why there is worry. The press will have every freedom accorded the press in the PRC.

[buriram39]

7 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Bring it on!

That would be good, they, mostly, have given him hell for years with their, sometimes, total BS, and other times deliberately misconstruing things.

[thaibeachlovers]

9 minutes ago, buriram39 said:

That would be good, they, mostly, have given him hell for years with their, sometimes, total BS, and other times deliberately misconstruing things.

I gave you the purple cup, but I came on to say that my second Thai GF came from Buriram. Must be a great place.

[Thingamabob]

7 hours ago, scottiejohn said:

Do you not believe in a free press and the First Amendment?

Not if there are lies being told.

[Justanotherone]

make BIG PHARMA ads, ILLEGAL on TV...

[digger70]

Media Organizations Brace for Legal and Political Challenges Under Trump 

 

Why would they worry .they have freedom of Press. If they don't do  anything Stupid and illegal than there are no problems.

[honcho]

media have been so biased and hateful towards Trump that they have lost their audience... legal threats are the least of their problems, if they cant get rid of the bias they will shrivel and die a natural death... and they will deserve it

[candide]

Anyone noticed how MAGAs who have been whining about free speech for years are now supporting muzzling the media! 😆

[dinsdale]

20 hours ago, scottiejohn said:

Do you not believe in a free press and the First Amendment?

Free press yes. Freedom of speech yes. Thing is the "free press" you speak of contains the legacy media what Trump rightly calls the "fake news". This was in full view over the election runup. Interesting that you mention freedom of speech when over the last four years this has been severely curtailed citing mis/disinformation when the legacy media are themselves purveyors of such mis/disinformation.

[candide]

18 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Free press yes. Freedom of speech yes. Thing is the "free press" you speak of contains the legacy media what Trump rightly calls the "fake news". This was in full view over the election runup. Interesting that you mention freedom of speech when over the last four years this has been severely curtailed citing mis/disinformation when the legacy media are themselves purveyors of such mis/disinformation.

Another intrusion from the MAGA alternate universe.....