Trump wages legal war against press; concerns grow over media freedom
Concerns over press freedom are escalating as President-elect Donald Trump intensifies legal attacks on media outlets.
Trump’s lawyer Edward Paltzik has demanded $10 billion in damages from The New York Times and Penguin Random House.
He is accusing them of defamation over critical reports and books.
One target was the book “Lucky Loser,” which examined Trump’s financial history, while another was a Times article detailing his controversial record and impeachment.
Legal experts warn that such tactics, which could tie up media outlets in costly legal battles, may have a chilling effect on journalism in the U.S.
Trump, who has long vilified the media, has faced backlash for his attempts to stifle critical reporting.
Observers say such legal threats raise alarm about the future of press freedom under Trump’s administration, drawing comparisons to tactics used in repressive regimes to silence the media.
Deputy editor-in-chief of the Thomson Reuters Foundation Barry Malone says Trump’s legal threats may be designed not to actually win damages but “to tie the media up with time-consuming and often prohibitively expensive cases.”
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
