In light of US President-elect Donald Trump’s latest threats against the media, the Austrian chapter of the Association of European Journalists (AEJ) fears consequences for press freedom in Europe.
In the US, Trump views independent media as “enemies of the people” and “spreaders of fake news,” Otmar Lahodynsky, honorary chairman of AEJ, criticized in a broadcast on Wednesday. This should also give Europe food for thought.
“After his election victory, he again threatened TV channels such as CBS and ABC with withdrawing their licenses because they came forward in favor of the Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and through manipulated interviews Trump was able to withdraw licenses due to his influence on the US broadcasting authority The FCC and the Supreme Court, whose majority of judges are close to it, will soon implement this, according to the “Association of European Journalists”.
Climate change denial and censorship
The AEJ is concerned about Trump’s denial of climate change and also his announcement that he will take action against ‘censorship’ by ‘left-wing media’. NGOs and platforms that investigate cases of disinformation should lose government subsidies. He wants to do the same with state research institutions that investigate violations of media freedom or discrimination against people who think differently. In a 2020 report, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) accused Trump of intimidating journalists with defamation lawsuits. Such “SLAPP” lawsuits (“Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation”) are also increasing significantly in the EU.
Autocratic governments and politicians in the EU will seek to emulate future actions against independent media in the US, AEJ warns. Preserving media freedom is one of the fundamental values of the European Union and must be defended by all possible means. This also applies to Austria, according to the chairman of “AEJ Austria”, Edgar Schütz.
Social media as a propaganda tool
The AEJ association is also critical of the role of social media. Lahodynsky warned that ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) in particular had been transformed by owner Elon Musk into a propaganda tool for Trump during the election campaign.
It is feared that users of ‘X’ will receive increasingly one-sided and whitewashed messages about Trump’s activities over Musk’s influence. AEJ also criticizes the pre-emptive obedience of owners of quality newspapers such as the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times – Jeff Bezos and Patrick Soon-Shiong – who banned traditional electoral support before the election – this time for Kamala Harris. The so-called ‘neutral attitude’ of these newspapers is justified by respect for freedom of expression, which is, however, gradually being restricted.
‘Fact checking’ is becoming increasingly important
European journalists are therefore confronted with a special responsibility. Because US President Trump infamously spread lies during his first term, the media in Europe must check reports from the US even more carefully for their veracity. ‘Fact checking’ is therefore becoming increasingly important. European media correspondents accredited in the US could come under pressure from the Trump administration and should under no circumstances give in to it.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
