The Presidents vs. the Press

Autor*innen

• Harold Holzer

Parameter

• Historisches Thema
• Journalismus
• Politik
• Politikwissenschaft
• Sachliteratur

Mehr zum Buch

An award-winning presidential historian provides an authoritative account of American presidents' attacks on press freedom. The phrase "fake news" has been weaponized, with Donald Trump declaring the media an enemy of the American people. This ongoing tension between presidents and journalists dates back to the founding of the republic. George Washington expressed frustration over newspaper coverage, while John Adams used his executive power to suppress press freedoms and prosecute dissenting reporters. Thomas Jefferson engaged a reporter to dig up dirt on Alexander Hamilton, only to have his own affair with Sally Hemings exposed, prompting perhaps the first instance of a presidential denial of "fake news." Andrew Jackson rewarded supportive newspapers with government contracts, whereas Abraham Lincoln closed critical publications and jailed their editors without trial. FDR and JFK skillfully charmed journalists to shield their secrets, while Nixon labeled the press a public enemy for investigating his administration. This compelling account by acclaimed scholar Harold Holzer explores the historical clashes between presidents and the press, illustrating how these battles have shaped the landscape of American journalism and emphasizing the ongoing struggle to protect a free and functioning press.

• Sprache: Englisch
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2020
• Einband: Hardcover