Jelani Cobb and Steve Coll discuss the challenges of reporting on Donald Trump, focusing on his manipulation of facts and narratives. They explore the line between coverage and promotion, the role of news organizations in polarization, and dilemmas faced by journalists when reporting on Trump and his 2024 campaign.
The first criminal trial against former President Donald Trump regarding hush money paid to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential run is set to commence. This trial is significant for the nation and a test for reporters grappling with impartial coverage amidst recent struggles with reporting on Trump and his supporters without bias. NBC News's removal of former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel adds to the complex media landscape.
Challenges of Reporting on Trump's Rhetoric and Style
Trump's unique communication style, laden with outrageous claims and insults, poses challenges for journalists accustomed to dealing with traditional politicians. Reporters find it difficult to fact-check and hold Trump accountable, especially when he manipulates emotions and uses humor effectively. Trump's ability to engage his audience emotionally adds complexity to reporting and requires innovative interview formats to elicit substantive responses.
Media Strategies in Reporting on Trump and Biden
Discussions center on how news outlets, like CNN, navigate covering Trump's rhetoric while maintaining fairness and objectivity. The debate questions if treating Trump and Biden equally would be justifiable given their contrasting actions and statements in the political sphere. The evolving media landscape aims to strike a balance between attracting audiences and fulfilling journalistic duties with integrity.
Future of Political Journalism Amid a Divided Landscape
Amidst the upcoming presidential election, journalism faces the challenge of informing a polarized electorate. The role of journalism in shaping public opinion is crucial, although traditional reporting may not sway entrenched voter preferences. Media outlets like Fox News grapple with their stance on Trump's return to politics, reflecting the complexities of modern political coverage and its impact on viewership and integrity.
The New Yorker staff writers Jelani Cobb and Steve Coll joined Tyler Foggatt last May to discuss the ways in which Donald Trump maneuvers around facts and controls narratives when confronted by journalists. At last year’s CNN town hall, for example, Trump answered questions in front of a live and sympathetic audience—a setup that played to his strengths as a performer. For Cobb and Coll, who are Columbia Journalism School faculty members, the town hall raised some questions: Where is the line between coverage and promotion? And what is the role of news organizations in the age of political polarization? Cobb and Coll spoke about the dilemmas that journalists face when reporting on the former President and his 2024 campaign, and some potential solutions.
This episode originally aired on May 25, 2023.
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