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Archives for April 2017

Pew Study: Americans Believe Trump’s Animosity Toward Press Hurts Political Journalism

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay / Geralt.

The animosity toward the media by the President and White House administration is negatively affecting most Americans’ access to accurate political news, according to a Pew Research Study.

More than 80 percent of respondents to the study said the relationship between Donald Trump and the press was unhealthy. This measurement was largely bipartisan, with 78 percent of Republicans agreeing, and 88 percent of Democrats. This belief was also consistent across race, gender, education level and age.

Additionally, 94 percent of respondents said they are familiar with the current relationship between the Trump administration and mainstream journalism. What they know is not comforting: overwhelming majorities say the relationship is unhealthy and that ongoing animosity is hindering America’s access to important political news.

The Pew study was conducted over the phone with 4,151 Americans between March 13 and March 27. Pew did not inquire respondents about how the tension should be resolved.

Trump Impersonator Atamanuik to Host “The President Show” on Comedy Central

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Photo courtesy Pixabay.

Anthony Atamanuik has been called “the nation’s best Donald Trump impersonator.” His portfolio is expanding as the comedian announced he will bring his character to television as the host of “The President Show,” a new weekly program on Comedy Central.

“Laughing at the President is a proud American tradition and we hope not to disappoint anyone in that department,” Atamanuik said. “I’d just like to thank Comedy Central for giving us this platform to speak truth to power and if we’re lucky, end up in prison!”

The President Show will be a late-night show hosted by Atamanuik in character as Trump broadcasting “direct” from the Oval Office. It will feature “best guests, the most beautiful women, it’ll be so funny; the most funny show,” Atamanuik stated.

The show is executive produced by Atamanuik, along with Peter Grosz, Adam Pally, Jason Ross, and 3 Arts Entertainment’s Olivia Gerke, Greg Walter and Josh Lieberman. The series will be directed by Andre Allen and produced by Clone Wolf Productions.

News Media Alliance Launches Effort to Support Real News

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CNBC newsroom. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

News Media Alliance President and CEO David Chavern has launched a national campaign focused on combatting the increasing prevalence of fake news. This effort, named Support Real News, is designed to highlight the importance of real journalism, and expose the harm on society by fake news outlets.

Support Real News calls on the public to bolster real journalism by taking action such as subscribing to local newspapers and supporting the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

“We are encouraged by the efforts of our members and other organizations to call attention to the growing fake news problem and to promote the value of real news,” said  Chavern. “As the association that represents the news media industry, fighting fake news is one of the most important things the News Media Alliance can do for our members right now. Our campaign raises awareness of the damage that can be and is being caused by fake news, and to demonstrate why the continued presence of real news organizations is vital to a strong democracy.”

The Alliance has created campaign resources for this effort through digital, social, video and print means, which are available on the Alliance website. These resources include colorful print and digital ads, an online video, social media graphics and profile badges, draft blog posts and an op-ed by Chavern.

“As the association that represents the news media industry, fighting fake news is one of the most important things the News Media Alliance can do for our members right now,” stated Chavern.

MSNBC Announces White House Correspondents’ Dinner After-Party

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Photo courtesy Wikipedia.

MSNBC will be holding an after-party at the Organization of American States immediately following the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.

Unlike other organizations and outlets that have opted not to hold celebrations surrounding the annual dinner, MSNBC has chosen to move forward with its annual tradition.

“This evening has always been a celebration of the First Amendment and developing the next generation of correspondents,” an NBC spokesperson said. “In that spirit, we’ve historically supported deserving organizations, and will do so again this year through a donation to the National Press Club’s Scholarship for Journalism Diversity.”

The New Yorker and The Hill have opted not to host events during the weekend of the Correspondents’ Association dinner this year. Vanity Fair and Bloomberg have also announced they will not host their annual after-party.

In February, President Trump announced on Twitter that he would not attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the first time a sitting president was not in attendance since 1981 when Ronald Reagan recovered from an assassination attempt. Last month, the White House announced no staff would attend, in “solidarity” with the president.

“The WHCA board regrets this decision very much.  We have worked hard to build a constructive relationship with the Trump White House and believe strongly that this goal is possible even with the natural tension between the press and administrations that is a hallmark of a healthy republic,” WHCA president Jeff Mason said in a statement.

The White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner will be held on April 29th at the Washington Hilton. Proceeds from the event will go toward scholarships for upcoming journalist students.