Reince, Trump, and the 1st Amendment

[E B]

Reince Priebus sat for an interview the other day and one of the topics was changing libel laws. Interview snippet below:

https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/858677772847382528

Transcript for those who can't/won't watch video:

KARL: So I want to move on, before you go, we have a segment coming up with Ann Coulter and Robert Reich. Of course, there's a big controversy at Berkeley over freedom of speech.

I want to ask you about two things the president has said on related issues.

First of all, there was what he said about opening up the libel laws, Tweeting, "The failing "New York Times" has disgraced the media world, gotten me wrong for two solid years. Change the libel laws."

That would require, as I understand it, a constitutional amendment.

Is he really going to pursue that?

Is that something he wants to pursue?

PRIEBUS: I think it's something that we've looked at and how that gets executed or whether that goes anywhere is a different story. But when you have articles out there that have no basis or fact and we're sitting here on 24-7 cable companies writing stories about constant contacts with Russia and all these other matters that (INAUDIBLE)...

KARL: Do you think the president should be...

PRIEBUS: -- no basis at all...

KARL: -- to sue "The New York Times."..

PRIEBUS: I think that...

KARL: -- for stories he doesn't like?

PRIEBUS: Here's what I think. I think that newspapers and news agencies need to be more responsible with how they report the news. I am so tired...

KARL: I don't think anybody would disagree with that. It's about... PRIEBUS: But everyone...

KARL: -- whether or not the president should have a right to sue them.

PRIEBUS: And I already answered the question. I said this is something that is being looked at. But it's something that as far as how it gets executed, where we go with it, that's another issue.

It would be incredibly difficult to pass a constitutional amendment given all the hurdles they would have to jump through, but the fact that it has even 'been looked at" is troubling, to say the least-- implying support from this administration if it weren't so difficult.

Thoughts? Especially curious to hear from the board's Republicans.

 

[siamese3]

Eb, I have been thinking about this quite a bit, and I find it quite troubling. Then again, I find pretty much all of this quite troubling. What I think is really bananas about it all is that apparently the President, and the many of the people in his administration, are not held responsible for what they say. In have also been thinking a lot about propaganda, but that is yet another topic. All administrations "spin" but I think what is happening now is well beyond that.

 

[lovedogs]

This is just example of a ego maniac with thin skin and no ability to introspect trying to change the rules because his baby feelings are hurt. It's incredibly pathetic. Luckily I don't think this will go anywhere (just like many of his hair brained ideas), because it would require support from other branches of govt.

But this interview is just embarrassing for them. Much bluster, nothing will come from it, except making it even more clear that our president is a toddler.

 

[redwood66]

I don't want more opportunity for anyone to sue for anything. Our ambulance chasing society is a disgrace.

The First Amendment and libel laws are fine the way they are when it comes to the media. However I would like the media to take more care and actually do investigation before castigation.

 

[chrono]

I would also like the President and his WH staff to take more care before opening their mouths.

 

[redwood66]

I would also like the President and his WH staff to take more care before opening their mouths.

We are in agreement.

 

[Kbell]

I don't want more opportunity for anyone to sue for anything. Our ambulance chasing society is a disgrace.

The First Amendment and libel laws are fine the way they are when it comes to the media. However I would like the media to take more care and actually do investigation before castigation.

I agree with this. I will say though political preferences aside that the media/journalism in my eyes has diminished from a field of respect & dignity to that of a circus. I have no faith in what is reported, I have lost respect for the entire profession, and I am mostly disappointed with what it has become. "I heard it on the news" doesn't hold much more weight for me than "I read it on facebook".