It seems the News Organizations didn't learn their mistake the first time when Trump ran for the presidency, and they gave him carte blanche coverage - lies and all. That's where the problem began when it came to factual and credible reporting about Trump.
This massive mistake by editors has taken its toll on journalism in America, muddying up the truth to the point no one knows what to believe. By giving a malicious sociopath so much coverage - without constantly fact-checking him - news organizations are doing a disservice to their viewers and readers.
Here's the most recent example...
CNBC made a curious decision to WELCOME Donald Trump onto its airwaves for an extended live telephone chat Monday.
Squake Box news line, hosted by Joe Kernen, allowed itself to be taken over by the twice-impeached, four-time indicted, insurrection-inciting former president who immediately launched his trademark "fact free" rants.
Kernen didn't even make the slightest attempt to correct the lies Trump was spewing to thousands of listeners. Listening to the CNBC host brushing aside the insidious comments and outright lies told me that this wasn't a serious interview.
There was one or two feeble attempts to ask him a question, but they were turned aside as Trump dominated the broadcast with his rambling and laundry list of lies.
The whole thing was a disgrace. Not one attempt to live fact-check the biggest liar on the planet. The station running their Mea culpa acknowledgement stating the facts about Trump's claims AFTER THE FACT was a useless attempt to cover up the damage inflicted.
How many people won't see or hear this admission they let loose lips Trump tell lies live on the air? It's a typical Trumpian tactic that only works if a network is complicit - like CNBC was this time.
Why is this happening?
I think it's obvious. Trump is a money-maker who every time he gets a platform his cult tunes in like the loyal minions they are. These once-respectable news outlets have made a decision - milk Trump mania if it continues to bring in readers or viewers - and damn doing the right thing.
What happened at CNBC was the host surrendered the channel's air to Trump, allowing the convicted rapist to abuse the platform and mislead its audience of influential viewers - by phone.
It wasn't a "perfect phone call."
As a former newspaper publisher and editor, I'm aghast at what's happening to journalism in this country today.
I remember when publications and social platforms couldn't get away with blatantly lying because their viewers and readers would call them out.
Some listeners may call out CNBC for letting Trump spread propaganda, but their concerns will go unanswered because the channel waited until AFTER the damage was done to correct Trump.
And that seems to be the new terrible norm in journalism today.
As it Stands, if this trend continues Trump could very well win and then credible journalism in this country will be totally crushed by that orange ape.
