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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrump Allies Target Journalists Over Coverage Deemed Hostile to White House
Trump Allies Target Journalists Over Coverage Deemed Hostile to White House
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/25/us/politics/trump-allies-news-media.html?te=1&nl=politics&emc=edit_cn_20190826?campaign_id=56&instance_id=11901&segment_id=16483&user_id=ca02b127fa17b8d676fde27e367a12bb®i_id=8965107220190826
WASHINGTON A loose network of conservative operatives allied with the White House is pursuing what they say will be an aggressive operation to discredit news organizations deemed hostile to President Trump by publicizing damaging information about journalists.
It is the latest step in a long-running effort by Mr. Trump and his allies to undercut the influence of legitimate news reporting. Four people familiar with the operation described how it works, asserting that it has compiled dossiers of potentially embarrassing social media posts and other public statements by hundreds of people who work at some of the countrys most prominent news organizations.
The group has already released information about journalists at CNN, The Washington Post and The New York Times three outlets that have aggressively investigated Mr. Trump in response to reporting or commentary that the White Houses allies consider unfair to Mr. Trump and his team or harmful to his re-election prospects.
Operatives have closely examined more than a decades worth of public posts and statements by journalists, the people familiar with the operation said. Only a fraction of what the network claims to have uncovered has been made public, the people said, with more to be disclosed as the 2020 election heats up. The research is said to extend to members of journalists families who are active in politics, as well as liberal activists and other political opponents of the president.
It is not possible to independently assess the claims about the quantity or potential significance of the material the pro-Trump network has assembled. Some involved in the operation have histories of bluster and exaggeration. And those willing to describe its techniques and goals may be trying to intimidate journalists or their employers.
But the material publicized so far, while in some cases stripped of context or presented in misleading ways, has proved authentic, and much of it has been professionally harmful to its targets.
It is clear from the cases to date that among the central players in the operation is Arthur Schwartz, a combative 47-year-old conservative consultant who is a friend and informal adviser to Donald Trump Jr., the presidents eldest son. Mr. Schwartz has worked with some of the rights most aggressive operatives, including the former Trump adviser Stephen K. Bannon.
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Farmer-Rick
(10,201 posts)Used the head in the white house.
no_hypocrisy
(46,157 posts)Dan Rather has continued his political commentary even now. Perhaps it's a bit stronger than 15 years ago, but he's a journalist who's willing to present facts and analysis.
Unless Trump & Co. intend to clear the boards of CNN and MSNBC, it isn't going to happen the way they want. Journalists are going to tell the truth whether paid or not.