Trump deserves an apology from the media, and reform in a second term

Now that the presidential election has ended and Donald Trump has decisively won, it’s time to reflect on the decline of mainstream media and consider steps for potential recovery.

Step 1: Apologize.

A recent Gallup poll revealed that only 31% of Americans trust the mass media to report the news accurately and fairly, marking an all-time low in confidence.

Given the media’s relentless portrayal of Trump as a fringe figure leading up to his victory, it’s a surprise that the trust percentage is as high as it is.

Americans ultimately re-elected Trump in a landslide, signaling a clear rejection of the media’s narrative.

Both Trump and his supporters are owed an apology.

Much of the mainstream media has openly aligned itself with Democrats, becoming an activist arm for the party. This bias permeates their reporting and coverage.

A study from Syracuse University found that only 3.4% of American journalists identify as Republicans, highlighting the lack of ideological diversity in the industry.

In one example, NPR’s DC headquarters has 87 registered Democrats in editorial positions and not a single Republican.

While news organizations have the right to hold certain political leanings, they should be transparent about their biases.

For instance, if The New York Times aims to be a left-leaning paper, it should be upfront about its perspective rather than claim objectivity.

The headlines and coverage choices made by news outlets often reveal their biases and agendas, as seen in The New York Times’ post-election headline that portrayed Trump’s victory as a “stunning return to power.”

Since the media’s failure to predict Trump’s 2016 victory, they pledged to improve their coverage. However, this improvement has largely translated to hiring Republicans who are critical of Trump, rather than supportive.

For media recovery to be successful, Step 2 involves hiring commentators who don’t vehemently oppose Trump to cover his second term in office.

Examples of supposed Republican columnists publicly supporting Kamala Harris and criticizing Trump illustrate the lack of genuine conservative voices in mainstream media.

This skewed representation leads to a distorted view of Republican support for Trump among readers and viewers.

Furthermore, the biased coverage seen on television networks like ABC demonstrates a need for more balanced reporting to ensure an informed audience.

To provide fair and informative coverage, media outlets must offer diverse perspectives, including commentators who can defend Trump’s policies wholeheartedly and authentically.

By apologizing for past mischaracterizations and biases, and by hiring commentators who don’t harbor personal animosity toward Trump, media outlets can take steps towards presenting news in an unbiased manner and regaining trust from the public.

Karol Markowicz is co-author of the book “Stolen Youth.”