Week 6 Topic 2

Trump’s use of the term “fake news” to describe either story he does not like or news organizations that have aggressively reported on him, seems to be nothing more than politics. To me, the history of politics in America is the history of trying to portray his/her opponent in the most negative light possible in order to persuade voters that you, rather than he/she are the best person for the office. The only difference is that rather than criticizing an individual, Trump is criticizing an entire industry. The effect is the same, however. Indeed, just like a negative and might turn the community against a campaign’s nomination, it can and has turned some sectors of the nation against the news media. This is a risky tactic for Trump. While it might work in terms of solidifying Trump’s supporter among his constituency, it may also have some serious side-effects for the future of the country. 
One of those effects has been expressed in the increasingly violent and aggressive criticism against reporters and journalist. While it is common for governments and government officials in America to dislike the press, this is not so for the average citizen. That is, since the earliest years of the nation the press has been trusted to get the facts out. However, if everyone considers the news to be fact, the possibility that it will be able to inform the public on important events of the day would be limited or otherwise eliminate. As a result, people will necessarily need to listen to family or friends to understand the news, even if those portrayals are not never accurate. One of the best illustrations of this is Trump’s denial of climate change. While scientists across the world have testified to its existence; Trump’s denial has left an increase in individuals and organizations feeling there is no longer a need to take precautions on protecting the environment.