(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Neutrality is Not an Option [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2024-10-26 With the election less than two weeks away, I am crippled with anxiety at the thought that Donald Trump could defeat Kamala Harris. My concerns go far beyond razor-thin poll margins. They reflect the overwhelming media coverage that continues to benefit Trump, whether he is portrayed positively or critically. His tactic is simple: dominate every space he enters, exhausting us with absurdities and leaving us gasping for air. This rinse-and-repeat strategy has worked for decades, and the media—knowingly or not—has enabled this spectacle, pouring gasoline on a five-alarm fire that threatens to wholly engulf our democracy. Kamala Harris deserves to be the focal point of national discourse. She should be leading the conversation as the great hope to reunite a fractured and polarized nation. As an experienced leader with a proven commitment to justice, Harris embodies the potential to bridge deep divides and restore faith in our governance. Kamala Harris has served as Vice President of the United States, Attorney General of California, and District Attorney of San Francisco. Throughout her career, she has championed women’s rights by advocating for maternal health initiatives, co-sponsoring the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, and promoting equal pay with the Paycheck Fairness Act. As California’s Attorney General, she secured a $20 billion settlement from big banks for foreclosure abuses during the financial crisis and fought for consumer protections, targeting predatory for-profit colleges. In her role as Vice President, Harris was instrumental in helping draft and pass a major bipartisan infrastructure bill, securing critical investments in transportation, broadband, and clean energy infrastructure. So while Trump is dodging class action lawsuits for cashing in on phony for profit colleges that bear his name, Harris is busy shutting them down. While Harris is crusading for woman’s rights, Trump has been found guilty of sexual misconduct. As Harris takes on mega corporations for defrauding consumers, Trump has been barred from doing business in the state of New York related to a lifetime of fraudulent business practices. Yet Harris’s rallying cry, “We Are Not Going Back,” which is a powerful dig in light of Trump’s draconian measures that have caused great harm— hasn’t gone viral in the way deserves to. Instead, Trump’s attention seeking buffoonery continues to overshadow her messaging, hijacking public attention in the critical days leading up to the election on November 5th. Trump is not a typical political opponent—he is a demigod for corporate greed, commanding a dangerous cult of personality eager to advance his authoritarian agenda. History teaches us that charismatic leaders who thrive on division cannot be treated as harmless entertainers; they must be confronted head-on before their influence becomes insurmountable. The Media’s Dangerous Gamble Rather than focusing on substantive issues, 24-hour news cycles have willingly handed Trump a megaphone, empowering him to dominate the narrative through sensationalism and misinformation—all in shameless pursuit of clicks and views. Recent studies confirm that sensational coverage drives engagement but leaves voters less informed. This toxic alliance between Trump and the media carries immense consequences. If Trump wins, the Supreme Court—partly shaped and corrupted by his own appointments—appears all too eager to grant him further presidential immunity, shielding him from accountability for his past and future crimes, even as a convicted felon. It is as if the Court, acting as a co-conspirator, seductively whispers into Trump’s bandaged ear: “You can do no wrong—we’ve got your back.” Trump’s attacks on the press mirror the tactics used by dictators throughout history. His “fake news” mantra echoes authoritarian leaders who delegitimize and silence independent journalism to consolidate power. If re-elected, Trump could dismantle the free press, eliminating opposition and further eroding democratic norms. History shows that once the free press falls, democracy collapses like a house of cards. The media’s indulgence in Trump’s theatrics may soon prove fatal—not only for democracy but also for the survival of the press itself. Neutrality in an Abnormal Election It is deeply troubling that major publications like The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times have chosen neutrality by withholding obvious endorsements of Harris in this pivotal election. While impartiality may be commendable in ordinary times, this is no ordinary election. Kamala Harris is running against a candidate best described as a domestic terrorist operating in plain sight. The stakes are too high for anyone—media or undecided voters included—to take the high road. This moment demands courage. Media outlets cannot behave like passive spectators, leaning into Trump’s theatrics while sidelining Harris’s campaign. Journalism isn’t just a reflection of reality—it’s a tool for accountability and civic engagement. Treating both candidates as equals legitimizes Trump’s anti-democratic agenda and fails to inform the public about the profound stakes of this election. But neutrality is only part of the problem. The media’s obsession with Trump isn’t accidental—it’s a profitable machine that is being fueled by capitalism. News outlets, both mainstream and fringe, thrive on the outrage and engagement that Trump stories generates. CNN, Fox News, and even papers like The New York Times have become addicted to the adrenaline rush that the clicks and ad revenue that his antics generate. Trump isn’t just using the media—both parties are cashing in on the chaos. A Betrayal of the Public Trust While Harris’s campaign may have made strategic errors—such as limiting media access—this in no way excuses the media’s failure to adequately cover her candidacy. The choice in this election is painfully clear. If Trump wins and uses his second term to suppress dissent and silence the press, it will be the ultimate betrayal of democracy—and the media will have paved the way for its own downfall. Should Trump install an authoritarian regime that dismantles democratic institutions, the very freedom upon which the media depends will be at risk. Outlets that cling to neutrality—or worse, spread misinformation—are laying the foundation for their own extinction. This election is not just a contest between candidates; it is a fight for the future of democracy. The media’s role has never been more vital. Journalists must abandon passive reporting and embrace their moral responsibility to cover news that matters and, more importantly, hold themselves accountable. It is a time for journalists to return to the basics of quality investigative reporting, fact-checking sources, and only reporting on substantive news stories—as underwhelming as that sounds in our dopamine obsessed clickbait culture. As history has shown, when the press fails to effectively confront authoritarianism, democracy is destined to crumble under its own weight. This is not the time for the media to play it safe or pretend that neutrality is a virtue. The stakes are simply too high. Democracy’s survival hinges on it. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/10/26/2279902/-Neutrality-is-Not-an-Option?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/