Why are journalists increasingly targeted?

Amid the heightening threats, dangers and name-calling, polls show the public's trust in the news media has plummeted.

Reporters are being threatened, harassed, assaulted, imprisoned and killed.

World leaders often target journalists and news outlets they don't agree with, denouncing reporting as "fake news". 

Amid the heightening threats, dangers and name-calling, polls show the public's trust in the news media has plummeted.

What should be done to reverse this dangerous trend? Who should be responsible to protect journalists? What can be done to restore the public's trust in news reporting?

While journalists have been a thorn in the side of authoritarian governments.  With the assent of Donald Trump to the Oval Office he has used the bully pulpit to attack reporters.  Thus giving other repressive governments a green light to oppress a free press.