Politico reports:
President Donald Trump’s assault on the press, most often through barbed tweets and harsh words, has manifested itself more dangerously around the world, Sen. John McCain wrote in a Washington Post op-ed, granting the legitimacy of the White House to press-stifling efforts worldwide.
“Reporters around the world face intimidation, threats of violence, harassment, persecution and sometimes even death as governments resort to brutal censorship to silence the truth,” McCain (R-Ariz.) wrote in his op-ed, published Tuesday night.
“Unfortunately, the Trump administration’s attitude toward such behavior has been inconsistent at best and hypocritical at worst,” he continued. “While administration officials often condemn violence against reporters abroad, Trump continues his unrelenting attacks on the integrity of American journalists and news outlets. This has provided cover for repressive regimes to follow suit.”
Read McCain’s full op-ed, which was clearly timed as specific criticism of Trump’s “Fake News Awards” – which was supposed to happen today although yesterday Sarah Huckabee Sanders downgraded that bullshit to a “potential event.”
.@realDonaldTrump’s ‘fake news awards’ could land White House staff in hot water https://t.co/yZCtMgfrfc pic.twitter.com/jKQWfd5DOI
— PolitiFact (@PolitiFact) January 16, 2018
Trump’s “MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR” were supposed to be announced tomorrow. But @SHSanders45 today called it a “potential event.” Whether it happens or not, we list Trump’s phony “fake news” claims from last year. https://t.co/8FMGxJnoAm
— FactCheck.org (@factcheckdotorg) January 16, 2018
Ethics experts warn White House officials will break rules if they take part in ‘fake news awards’ https://t.co/QH6IODSjac
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) January 16, 2018