"Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech or of the press." That is the second clause of the first amendment of our Constitution. You might think this would prevent a United States congressman from physically assaulting a member of the press. Not quite.
Ben Jacobs, a reporter for The Guardian, was "body slammed" by then candidate, and now Republican congressman elect for the state of Montana, Greg Gianforte. The shocking altercation happened shortly after Jacobs questioned the candidate about appalling new figures on the Affordable Health Care Act from the Congressional Budget Office. In a report from Fox News reporters who were present, "Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him." This is shocking to say the least.
I have personally met and spoken with Jacobs in my hometown of Grinnell, IA. I was a volunteer for a Bernie Sanders event late in the caucus season and was interviewed (something that I was probably told not to do by the campaign, but hell I did it anyway) by the reporter for an article. Our interaction brings me a little closer to the incident in Montana than I had expected, prompting this article. This assault of journalism, physical or political, has no place in this country.
Physical intimidation is no stranger to journalists, especially in the new manifestation of the Republican party. Jorge Ramos, a head reporter for Univision, was ejected from a Trump press conference last year. Political intimidation comes in the form of the administration denying American journalists from meetings with heads of state. Especially heads of state that are under investigation by the FBI and Congressional committees.
Fake News does exist, and its existence threatens a legitimate sources like The New York Times, or The Washington Post. Fake news sites are far from the established and trusted news sources. Typically if you see a headline with the possibility to be huge news, but the headline does not tell you what's in the article other than something that will "make liberals furious," you are dealing with fake news. If you click the headline and the whole page is covered with ads such as "TRY THIS ONE BIBLICAL TRICK TO REMOVE BELLY FAT" or "NEVER USE VIAGRA AGAIN AND STILL GET IT UP" you are dealing with a fake news website.
Professional journalism in the United States is losing its strength and integrity. Don't be complicit in this assault, and be aware of what is going on. Always double check what you read, and never read fake news.
