Trump/Media Conspire a Conflict of Interest

[Dangerrus]

President-elect and Media meet behind closed doors.

Our President-elect has called an off-camera meeting with the fifth estate, the press. He has "summoned" the leading news organizations and anchormen/women to convene outside of the public eye. The fifth estate could be the last defense for Free Speech. Democracy's hard line in the sand. What can President-elect Trump say to the media that he would not want shared with us?

As media businesses we hope the press honestly report on the activities of the Government, albeit editors/publishers have a subjective point of view and in most cases a profit motive. Meeting behind towered doors with agreement not to divulge draws into question the "honest" reporting. It undermines the truthiness of product. This is not an open and transparent government/media relationship, it is the opposite.

Off Camera is an illusion. There is nothing legally binding about it. Without disclosure, the media in attendance is in collusion to conform our "news" for an unreported agenda. Party or persona should not trump our right/need to know. As consumers that is what we are buying.

Did our President-elect suggest he could keep mainstream news media out of the loop? He demonstrated his ability to circumvent them on Youtube with his first 100 days speech. Perfectly legal if the case and companies wishing continued access for profits just might bow down to this creative leashing of opinions.



Sharing may be the only Freedom of Press left.

Scott Etches