Six months into the second term of U.S. President Donald Trump, his administration has become increasingly antagonistic towards the media, inspiring authoritarian regimes. “Donald Trump has become a pivotal figure in a global political movement hostile to journalism, contributing to the international decline of press freedom,” states RSF.
The organization notes that Donald Trump’s preferred tool against opposition is through abusive litigation, with the President increasing lawsuits against media over unfavorable coverage and placing trusted individuals at the helm of media groups to control information.
The dismantling of independent public media is also part of the President’s strategy, alongside violence against journalists covering protests and baseless accusations against media outlets.
The banning of undesirable words and expressions and defamation campaigns against journalists are components of the cross-border exchange of strategies, discourses, and techniques to attack the press, fostering an authoritarian feedback loop.
“Donald Trump may be raising trade barriers, but when it comes to attacks on the press, ideas flow freely among countries with little respect for press freedom,” said Clayton Weimers, Executive Director of RSF in the U.S.
The official also notes that since his re-election, Trump has transformed years of rhetoric against journalists into concrete actions to limit their freedom.
