On March 21, The Telegraph took on the daunting task of defining exactly what constitutes “fake news” and how one might go about spotting it. [1]
Merely a consequence of ubiquitous social media? Don’t count on it. Last May, Smithsonian Magazine laid out a history holding that it has “been a part of the conversation as far back as the birth of the free press.” Indeed, this is one of the fundamental precepts in journalism. [2,3]
It’s also become a mainstay of rallies in which the forty-fifth President of the United States appears. From the ground and platform this week in the gated White House Press Pool area in Van Andel Arena, however, there wasn’t the slightest indication of the threat that some media outlets argue as surely to come of President Trump’s challenging rhetoric. [4-7]
Rather, in Grand Rapids it felt more like rote ritual. Say what’s expected to be said, audience verbally responds by rote, on to the next thing. Democrats had their own similarly benign version of this when former President Barack Obama last appeared at Cass Tech. [8]
Moreover, if culture is set from the top, front line media access at “Rally with Donald J Trump, President of the United States” was among the most courteous with whom Saline Journal has dealt. From issuing press pass to updates on lock-in timing. Logistically, these were Michigan Republican Party people, not White House or Secret Service. [9,10]
After a variety of speakers had taken the podium well in advance of the president, the flow unexpectedly stopped. That’s when Donald Trump Jr came up on the press camera platform, separated from the diaz by a VIP area on the main floor, making himself accessable without restriction, literally shoulder to shoulder.
This proximety also effectively had him share framing before the audience with the media. From our perspective in the midst of this, we saw nothing even remotely approaching the physical hostility that CNN has characterized as a “feature” in many of these rallies, nor any rational reason for “concerns” over press member safety. [11]
In balance, Steve Gruber of Michigan Talk Network described during his Friday radio program heard on WAAM, behavior by national media toward his female producer in the ground-level press area that could equally be called a “feature” experience. [12-14]
Before and after Mr Trump went on camera for a planned cable news interview, he graciously made himself available for anyone interested in speaking with him — sans vetting. Ahtra Elnashar and her crew from Fox 17 West Michigan secured a live segment with the president’s son. Others who were interested followed suit. All questions taken. [14-16]
Here was The Washington Post summary of that: “News outlet that covered ‘lizard people’ and called Obama a demon just interviewed Trump Jr.” They went on to characterize a two-minute interview as being more than twice that commitment (obvious to those who were actually there, from the change in camera angle). [17]
Steve Gruber shared a more accurate summary of the event with Saline Journal yesterday after his morning broadcast.
Clearly there was a different atmosphere, after the Bob Mueller report, from what we’ve been told, obviously takes a dark cloud off. The president can now turn that back on his opponents. [18]
Enthusiasm filled the place to the rafters. What’s the capacity of Van Andel Arena? Thirteen thousand-plus? Every seat was taken, and there were thousands more who couldn’t get in outside. Three times his last time in Grand Rapids. [19]
“It’s a new day for Donald Trump,” Mr Gruber concluded matter-of-factly. “That’s the story.” It also goes to the substance of legitimate “fake news” concerns and a fuller understanding of its definition.
References
- “Fake news: What exactly is it – and how can you spot it?” James Carson (March 21, 2019) The Telegraph.
- “The (almost) complete history of ‘fake news’” Mike Wendling (January 22, 2018) BBC.
- “The Age-Old Problem of ‘Fake News’” Jackie Mansky (May 7, 2018) Smithsonian.
- “President Trump Rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan” video (March 29, 2019) C-SPAN.
- “Grand Rapids rally for President Donald Trump appeared to put Michigan front and center of 2020 re-election campaign” Dell Deaton (March 29, 2019) Saline Journal.
- “When Trump says ‘fake news,’ this is what supports say they hear” Daniel Bush (October 31, 2018) NPR.
- “New York Times responds to Trump’s attack: ‘It’s not just false, it’s dangerous’” Brian Stelter (February 20, 2019) CNN.
- “Former President Barack Obama Appears In Detroit To Headline Rally On Behalf of Michigan Democrat Candidates” Dell Deaton (October 27, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “Leaders Can Shape Company Culture Through Their Behaviors” Jim Whitehurst (October 13, 2016) Harvard Business Review.
- Michigan Republicans (home page).
- “Press advocacy groups condemn attack on BBC cameraman at Trump rally” Tara John and Brian Stelter (February 12, 2019) CNN.
- Steve Gruber (home page).
- “Ivey Gruber – Press pool Rude & unethical” The Steve Gruber Show (March 29, 2019) PodBean.
- AM 1600 WAAM (home page).
- “Ahtra Elnashar” Fox 17 West Michigan.
- “Trump Jr talks Mueller investigation, re-election campaign” (March 28, 2019) Fox 17 West Michigan.
- News outlet that covered ‘lizard people’ and called Obama a demon just interviewed Trump Jr” Reis Thebault (March 29, 2019) The Washington Post.
- “Mueller Delivers Report on Trump-Russia Investigation to Attorney General” Sharon LaFranier and Katie Benner (March 22, 2019) The New York Times.
- Van Andel Arena (home page).
