During Donald Trump's campaign for the White House he'd often rail at what he called the fake media for reporting on what he actually said rather than what wanted them to broadcast or print. He made these especially unwarranted comments at his campaign events. This led to journalists from several organizations needing security provide an escort from the event. Katy Tur of MSNBC was a consent target of his vitriolic machinations. On several occasions the Secret Service provided security as to enable her to safely leave these campaign events. Donald Trump's continued pronouncements of fake news provided cover for those leaders and countries seeking avenues for controlling the media to enact so "called fake news laws."
Singapore which has been ruled by the Peoples Action Party and the Lee family since independence in 1965 signed the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill into law last October. Any reasonable person might think, yes there needs to be an means to fight against broadcast or printed misinformation. Except that the government of Singapore has a history of using the courts and British colonial era laws to stifle descent by perceived political rivals and against the media.
Lawmakers in Albania followed Singapore and passed the anti-defamation package all in an effort to fight against "fake news."
They aren't the only countries to enact such laws they can be found in Europe and South America as well.
Donald Trump and his administration have gone further. They've stopped holding regular press briefings, in fact this has become common practice throughout his administration including the various departments such as State and Defense. As the reporting on the administration has become more the critical they've barred reporters from various news organizations from participating in public media events or traveling with cabinet secretaries. The last being the reporter from National Public Radio that was barred from the plane carrying Mike Pampeo after what was considered a hostile interview with one of its reporters on the subject of the Ukraine.
Now Boris Johnson and his senior media advisers have taken up the Trump mantel and barred political reporters from a press briefing at No. 10 Downing Street.
Journalists in Downing Street walk out after Johnson aide tries to exclude some reporters
Singapore which has been ruled by the Peoples Action Party and the Lee family since independence in 1965 signed the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill into law last October. Any reasonable person might think, yes there needs to be an means to fight against broadcast or printed misinformation. Except that the government of Singapore has a history of using the courts and British colonial era laws to stifle descent by perceived political rivals and against the media.
Lawmakers in Albania followed Singapore and passed the anti-defamation package all in an effort to fight against "fake news."
They aren't the only countries to enact such laws they can be found in Europe and South America as well.
Donald Trump and his administration have gone further. They've stopped holding regular press briefings, in fact this has become common practice throughout his administration including the various departments such as State and Defense. As the reporting on the administration has become more the critical they've barred reporters from various news organizations from participating in public media events or traveling with cabinet secretaries. The last being the reporter from National Public Radio that was barred from the plane carrying Mike Pampeo after what was considered a hostile interview with one of its reporters on the subject of the Ukraine.
Now Boris Johnson and his senior media advisers have taken up the Trump mantel and barred political reporters from a press briefing at No. 10 Downing Street.
Journalists in Downing Street walk out after Johnson aide tries to exclude some reporters
Political journalists have boycotted a briefing at No 10 Downing Street after one of Boris Johnson’s aides banned selected reporters from attending.
The walkout took place after a confrontation inside No 10 in which Lee Cain, Johnson’s most senior communications adviser, tried to exclude reporters from the Mirror, i, HuffPost, PoliticsHome, Independent and others.
Reporters on the invited list were asked to stand on one side of a rug in the foyer of No 10, while those not allowed in were asked by security to stand on the other side.
