The fourth estate is a term that positions the press as a fourth branch of government and one that is important to a functioning democracy.
The First Amendment to the Constitution frees the press, but carries with it a responsibility to be the people’s watchdog.
Donald Trump’s press conference on Jan. 11 was unsurprising, given his behavior as a candidate. Considering the flag-draped backdrop and delivery, it was more like one of his rallies, full of angry, vindictive falsehoods.
His behavior was more like that of a tin-pot dictator than the next leader of our democracy.
If the confrontation between Trump and CNN reporter Jim Acosta indicates what respect he has for the press and its role as “people’s watchdog,” this country has some dark times ahead.
Somehow, we have elected a president who believes in only the most limited form of accountability for himself. He thinks he need not separate his role as president from his role as “The Trump Organization LLC” in any meaningful way, other than to display stacks of paper, much of it apparently blank and none of it available for public examination.
Heaven help anyone from the press who dares to follow up on any scandal that may occur down the road.
Trump threw down the gauntlet to the fourth estate, and it is up to all of us to protest his autocratic behavior.
“We the people” need the press to ask questions on our behalf and to report the news, whether or not Donald Trump approves of what is being reported. The press needs to fight against Trump’s rude, authoritarian bullying, and so does everyone else.
If we do not, we will soon be in grave danger of losing our democracy.
CARL LANDWEHR
New Buffalo