Media, Save Thyself

The first thing a paramedic is taught is "scene safety". You can't save anyone if you are a victim yourself. For the benefit of the group, save yourself first.

Commercial media is a cutthroat business. Trump, a business values guy, relies on media corporations to always put profits first and never act otherwise.

Surprise him. Media companies should act in unison to combat Trump's attacks. They cannot effectively get the message of transparency through an atmosphere poisoned by opposition to truth-telling and an anti-intellectual tribal joining of forces. And the last thing right-wing propagandists expect is for media companies to unite in opposition and not be the cutthroat business weasels they are. Media companies---NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, FOX, Comedy Central (ha ha)---must do this for the sake of survival, to ensure there exists a place in the free market for outlets that don't spout the president's bullshit, ANY president's bullshit.

Media companies at White House briefings and elsewhere should demonstrate that unity. They should protest with a joint action, whatever it may be. From not attending W.H. briefings, phony rallies, and obligatory events to attending those events and dominating the narrative. The story now is the attack on the free press, the media are not there to dutifully cover Trump and sycophants beating them to a pulp.

They are ethically free to respond defensively.

And the best defense is a good offense.