One of the top rules of journalism is: tell the story, don't be the story. So there is a strong instinct not to "be the story" through criticism of the president's (or anybody's) relationship with the press or with individual reporters. But it's time to get past that and defend fellow reporters from personal attacks.
Apparently, "access" to the White House is more important to the WHCA than actual journalism.
If speakers at the dinner use the occasion to publicly call Trump out for his anti-American attacks on the press, that would at least be putting the occasion to some decent use.
But everything associated with Trump is immediately soiled beyond redemption. His one and only genius is to make everything about him. I would expect him to storm out partway through any honest speechifying. Which would result in his cult members screaming about how "disrespectful" and "rude" the media are to him.
So the point about threats to American rights will once again be lost to the right-wing noise machine, most likely. I would not have rolled the dice, but I guess we'll just have to watch the results.
Absolutely. The bulk of the WHCA membership consists of journalists who are so convinced of the importance of maintaining their precious "access" that they're unwilling to do anything that might risk that access -- like actually doing their jobs.
It's been quite a few years now, but one thing that still sticks in my mind about the Bush WMD/Iraq fiasco is the fact that the only journalists who did their damned jobs and questioned the Bush administration story were ones who weren't part of that clique..
Mister has no "genius" in any way. He is a sociopath whose sole motivation is to take any opportunity to exploit vulnerable people. It's reflexive, in no way connected to intellect or cunning.
I too hesitate to apply any positive words like "genius" to the fellow, but what I mean is some kind of weird cunning that he thinks makes him look good yet unerringly leads him in the opposite direction. You can have reflexive or instinctive cunning. No actual intelligence needed or implied.
It is beyond my comprehension why the WHCA would have ever invited him to speak. Given his disdain for a free and fair press and his insulting and reprehensible misogyny, what is wrong with the decision-makers in this association???
If being written about in the press is Trump’s oxygen, then just deprive him of it. Stop writing about him. Stop using his name when you do have to write about him. “The President issued a statement today on social media that basically said X”. Never say Trump. Never say Truth Social. Never quote the tweet verbatim. And if it’s not absolutely necessary, never write about him at all. Maybe if the press cut off his oxygen, he’d die and put us all out of our misery.
Don't forget "Quiet. Quiet Piggy". I suggest journalists stop paying dues to an organization that won't stand up in protest and invites the perpetrator of abuse and disrespect. I suggest White House journalists/correspondents form a new organization dedicated to the values they believe in.
“He’s not Putin. And this is not Russia,” said Jim Acosta.
He WANTS to be Putin, and with the help of congressional Republicans, he's well on the way to turning the U.S. into a Russian-style oligarchy. Politics isn't Hollywood, and partying with the person they're supposed to be holding accountable is inherently corrupt.
Trump and his supporters and henchmen need journalists more than the journalists need Trump. Journalists and their employers need to unite and hold the line for integrity, professionalism and a commitment to the truth. Do not give in to the president and those who are working to make you foresake your profession.
If Trump attends every journalist with any backbone should boycott. Having a press pass to the White House gets you nothing when all you are hearing is lie after lie.
Every correspondent and news organization who attends this event should be ashamed. This event should be boycotted. The White House Correspondents Association exists to represent the free press. Inviting Donald Trump who has called the free press the enemy of the people is an insult to all of its members.
One of the top rules of journalism is: tell the story, don't be the story. So there is a strong instinct not to "be the story" through criticism of the president's (or anybody's) relationship with the press or with individual reporters. But it's time to get past that and defend fellow reporters from personal attacks.
Apparently, "access" to the White House is more important to the WHCA than actual journalism.
If speakers at the dinner use the occasion to publicly call Trump out for his anti-American attacks on the press, that would at least be putting the occasion to some decent use.
But everything associated with Trump is immediately soiled beyond redemption. His one and only genius is to make everything about him. I would expect him to storm out partway through any honest speechifying. Which would result in his cult members screaming about how "disrespectful" and "rude" the media are to him.
So the point about threats to American rights will once again be lost to the right-wing noise machine, most likely. I would not have rolled the dice, but I guess we'll just have to watch the results.
Absolutely. The bulk of the WHCA membership consists of journalists who are so convinced of the importance of maintaining their precious "access" that they're unwilling to do anything that might risk that access -- like actually doing their jobs.
It's been quite a few years now, but one thing that still sticks in my mind about the Bush WMD/Iraq fiasco is the fact that the only journalists who did their damned jobs and questioned the Bush administration story were ones who weren't part of that clique..
Mister has no "genius" in any way. He is a sociopath whose sole motivation is to take any opportunity to exploit vulnerable people. It's reflexive, in no way connected to intellect or cunning.
I too hesitate to apply any positive words like "genius" to the fellow, but what I mean is some kind of weird cunning that he thinks makes him look good yet unerringly leads him in the opposite direction. You can have reflexive or instinctive cunning. No actual intelligence needed or implied.
It is beyond my comprehension why the WHCA would have ever invited him to speak. Given his disdain for a free and fair press and his insulting and reprehensible misogyny, what is wrong with the decision-makers in this association???
If being written about in the press is Trump’s oxygen, then just deprive him of it. Stop writing about him. Stop using his name when you do have to write about him. “The President issued a statement today on social media that basically said X”. Never say Trump. Never say Truth Social. Never quote the tweet verbatim. And if it’s not absolutely necessary, never write about him at all. Maybe if the press cut off his oxygen, he’d die and put us all out of our misery.
Don't forget "Quiet. Quiet Piggy". I suggest journalists stop paying dues to an organization that won't stand up in protest and invites the perpetrator of abuse and disrespect. I suggest White House journalists/correspondents form a new organization dedicated to the values they believe in.
I think that is an excellent idea.
“He’s not Putin. And this is not Russia,” said Jim Acosta.
He WANTS to be Putin, and with the help of congressional Republicans, he's well on the way to turning the U.S. into a Russian-style oligarchy. Politics isn't Hollywood, and partying with the person they're supposed to be holding accountable is inherently corrupt.
Trump and his supporters and henchmen need journalists more than the journalists need Trump. Journalists and their employers need to unite and hold the line for integrity, professionalism and a commitment to the truth. Do not give in to the president and those who are working to make you foresake your profession.
If Trump attends every journalist with any backbone should boycott. Having a press pass to the White House gets you nothing when all you are hearing is lie after lie.
Every correspondent and news organization who attends this event should be ashamed. This event should be boycotted. The White House Correspondents Association exists to represent the free press. Inviting Donald Trump who has called the free press the enemy of the people is an insult to all of its members.
It's OK, the more trump is seen the better.
No one needs to show up. This is just another press conference for trump.