William Adams, Extremism Team
James Raggio, Angelina Sammarco, Editor; Elena Alice Rossetti, Senior Editor
November 5, 2024
Press[1]
Event: At a Pennsylvania rally on November 3, 2024, presidential candidate Donald Trump reportedly commented that he would not mind if the media were shot. After the July assassination attempt on Trump, bulletproof glass has been placed around him at outdoor rallies. Along with calling the media “bloodsuckers,”[2] he referenced the bulletproof glass and said, “To get to me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news - and I don’t mind that so much.”[3] According to a Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) survey, journalists have reported threats including violence and online harassment. According to the US Press Freedom Tracker, there were 68 assaults on journalists as of September 2024, a 50 percent increase from the year before.[4]
Significance: Distrust in the media by Trump supporters will very likely intensify, and any information provided by the media, especially related to the election, will very likely be dismissed by Trump supporters, almost certainly aiding the spread of disinformation. Grievances over a perceived stolen election and media dishonesty will very likely motivate conspiracy theorists to form their own narratives and share them with like-minded individuals, likely evoking grievances and encouraging violence. Demonstrations will almost certainly be held at major events like the congressional transfer of power on January 6, 2025, and the inauguration on January 20, 2025, to stop the process if the preferred candidate does not win. The comments by Trump will very likely be crafted into an anti-media narrative and will likely be used by foreign actors, like Russia, to cause division.
Anti-government groups will likely view the media as a tool used by the government to control them, very likely limiting their access to information. Verbal and physical attacks will likely increase in times of contention, like this election or court proceedings, as anti-government groups will likely view any information as a way to suppress voter rights and slander Trump. Journalists and media employees will almost certainly continue to receive threats of physical violence, via online mediums or in person, likely limiting the work activity of some journalists due to fear of violence. With fewer journalists and reporters working to cover stories and stress from threats of physical violence impacting their ability to provide full news coverage, some corruption and government misconduct will likely go unnoticed.
Recommendations
The Counterterrorism Group (CTG) recommends that journalists covering election-related material or controversial issues travel to story locations in groups of three or more.
Journalists and reporters should go through situational awareness training that covers personal safety.
Employees of news agencies and independent journalists should limit the use of personal social media accounts and limit the amount of personal information used on professional websites.
Increased law enforcement presence should be at places where journalists are reporting on sensitive topics.
News and local law enforcement agencies should collaborate to stay informed about the physical security of locations and threats to journalists.
If there is any additional and or critical information please contact us at The Counterterrorism Group (CTG) by Telephone 202-643-2848 or email info@counterterrorismgroup.com
[1] Press, generated by a third party database
[2] Trump campaign defends 'shoot through the fake news' comment, BBC, November 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy9njyljrgo
[3] Ibid
[4] US press freedom under unprecedented pressure, report finds, Voice of America, October 2024, https://www.voanews.com/a/us-press-freedom-under-unprecedented-pressure-report-finds/7806682.html