As I See It
President shouldn’t encourage violence against reporters
Generally speaking, journalism is not among the most dangerous of jobs. We write and talk for a living. Still, 44 journalists have been killed doing their jobs this year. The most recent, and most shocking example, is the case of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. The Saudi dissident has been missing since visiting the consulate in Istanbul. He was reportedly killed and dismembered, a case which could sour relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. It is troubling then, but not surprising, that the President of the United States has no trouble encouraging violence against reporters and other members of the media who are performing their constitutionally protected duties. President Trump spoke at a rally in Montana, where he offered praise for Greg Gianforte, a congressional candidate who physically attacked a reporter. He body slammed reporter Ben Jacobs of the Guardian back in May and was found guilty of assault. But Trump apparently thinks that is just fine, saying he likes someone who body slams a reporter, calling Gianforte a tough cookie. It is yet another attack by the President on the very notion of a free press. That is troubling, and makes one wonder just how seriously he will respond to Khashoggi’s murder.