‘Journalists Are Not The Enemy’

By Justin Silverman

In an effort to counter the anti-media rhetoric being expressed by President Trump, The Boston Globe called on newspapers throughout the country to publish editorials today emphasizing the value of journalism and a free press. According to the Globe:

A central pillar of President Trump’s politics is a sustained assault on the free press. Journalists are not classified as fellow Americans, but rather ‘The enemy of the people.’ This relentless assault on the free press has dangerous consequences.

Below are editorials appearing throughout New England. If you know of others, please email links to justin@nefac.org.

Connecticut

The President Wants You to Think We’re the Enemy. Here’s What We Really Do
The Hartford Courant

Perspective on Truth, Lies, Respect and Hate
The Lakeville Journal and the Millerton News

A Response to President Trump’s Continued Attacks on the Media
Record-Journal

Uniting Our Voices in Defense of a Free Press
The Day

Maine

The Media is the Enemy Only if You Don’t Want to Know What Your Government is Doing
Bangor Daily News

A Free Press is the Best Defense Against Tyranny
Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel

The Best Defense Against Tyranny is a Free and Independent Press
The Portland Press Herald

Massachusetts

We Stand for Press Freedom
Whitman-Hanson Express

Trump’s Assaults on Press are Assaults on Democracy
The Berkshire Eagle

Journalists Are Not the ‘Enemy of the People,’ They Are the People
The Daily Free Press

Journalists Performing Public Service Are Not the Enemy
Daily Hampshire Gazette

We Are Not the Enemy; We Are You
The Sun Chronicle

Business Community Must Reject Attacks on the Press
Boston Business Journal

Unmoored
The Cape Cod Chronicle

Trump, Tweets and the Truth
Cape Cod Times

Trump’s Attacks on the Press
The Provincetown Banner

Officials are Accountable Because of the Free Press
The Republican

Is Humble Wellesley News Site an ‘Enemy of the People’?
The Swellesley Report

We (Are Not the Enemy of) the People
The Daily Item

Journalists are Not the Enemy
The Boston Globe

Enemy of None
Martha’s Vineyard Times

The Need for a Free Press
The Inquirer and Mirror

New Hampshire

Enemies of the People
Concord Monitor

Precious Priority: A Free Press
Keene Sentinel

Rhode Island

Trump Attacks the Messenger
Providence Journal

News Media Standing Up to Trump
The Newport Daily News

A Response to President Trump’s Continued Attacks on the Media
The Westerly Sun

‘Enemies of the People’ is Just Trump Nonsense
The Valley Breeze

Vermont

Press Freedom is a Vermont Value
Manchester Journal, Bennington Banner and the Brattleboro Reformer

Make No Mistake: This Attack on Our Free Press — Your Free Press — is Deliberate and Calculated
The Commons

Truly Fake News
The Hardwick Gazette

An Essential Part of Our Democracy
Caledonian Record

The Wider Danger in Trump’s Troubling Attacks on Journalism
Valley News

The Free Press Embodies the Free Press
Burlington Free Press

VTDigger Joins Journalism Groups Decrying Attacks on the Media
VTDigger

‘Enemy of the People’?
Addison County Independent, The Reporter and the Mountain Times

Enemy of the American People?
Milton Independent, Essex Reporter and Colchester Sun

False Narrative of ‘Fake News’ is the Real Threat
The Deerfield Valley News

No, Mr. President, The Press is Not an ‘Enemy of the People’
Stowe Reporter, Waterbury Record, News & Citizen of Morrisville, Shelburne News and The Citizen of Charlotte/Hinesburg

Yes, We are the Enemy
Times Argus

Justin Silverman is executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition.

Above photo provided by pxhere and in the public domain.


NEFAC was formed in 2006 to advance and protect the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society. Our members include lawyers, journalists, historians, academics and private citizens.

Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Please make a donation here.

Major Supporters of NEFAC include the Barr Foundation, The Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund, The Robertson Foundation, The Boston Globe, Boston University and WBUR-Boston.

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