Female Journalism Voices In The Age Of Trump.

 Source: Author

Two weeks ago in this blog, I wrote how the new Trump Administration can threaten, complain, whine, complain, whine some more and complain even more, but journalists will not and should not back down from his petty Twitter taunts. I wrote that despite Trump continually doing this (it’s two weeks later and he’s still at it - in fact, he's upgraded from Twitter to press conferences), I wasn’t worried because of the fire and passion and drive and immense talent I witnessed from the young female reporters daily in my newsroom. They would still be working in this profession many years after Mr. Trump would be long gone - and that reassurance gave me hope. 

Today, three of those young reporters left journalism. 

I’m now not so filled with hope. 

In fact, I’m very sad and worried.

Never mind the fact that three friends whom I liked a lot and even cared for, are now gone and I’m not sure when or where I’ll see them again. But the world is now three future reporters less - just when the world needs them most. Out of the five people that have left recently, four are female. Four bright, extremely talented females that brought a unique, dynamic voice to the journalism program I happen to be a part of. I Seriously hope we don't lose any more.

Of course, journalism is not a profession for everybody. These individuals left to pursue another avenue in life that they feel is a better fit for them and I wish them every bit of happiness there is. But I have to wonder if the world’s clash between powerful politicians and those working in journalism going on right now, might lead to more female journalism voices everywhere deciding to pursue another profession. After all, the most powerful man in the world, Donald Trump, spent most of his campaign insulting, degrading, belittling and attacking female journalists. 

Remember when this happened?

Source: Fox News

Well, that was just the beginning. From there, candidate Trump went on a months-long, late-night Twitter tirade against Fox News’s Megyn Kelly that for time purposes, is detailed here.

While that fun stuff was going on, the remarkable Katy Tur of NBC News, followed Trump on the campaign trail for a punishing 13 months between June 2015 and October 2016. Tur reported terrific accounts of her first-hand viewpoint from behind-the-scenes action of Trump’s organization. She traveled with them and tirelessly reported. She received praise from media pundits all over and even the hashtag #ImWithTur began trending in support. What did Trump call her? He called her "Little Katy," and “Third-rate Katy.” This went on day after day. And then of course, Trump’s supporters got in on the act. That however, didn’t stop Trump from granting an interview With Tur, when Trump needed to appeal to the NRA gang. When asked by Tur if Trump uses a gun, Trump just answered with "It's none of your business." Tur’s next question should have been, “Donald, do you even understand how an interview actually works?” At least he never told Tur to "be quiet," like he did that one time in Florida.

Katy Tur might not strictly work in online journalism (although some of her most pointed observations were posted right on Twitter), but that didn’t stop his supporters from attacking her and other female journalists online. They say the fish stinks from the head and that makes Trump the fish head of these attackers. In fact, according to British journalist Selina Scott, who met Trump back in 1995, he’s always held female journalists in contempt and women – well, worse. In fact, Trump’s way of insulting female reporters dates back to 1988 when Jennifer Lin was once called “the c-word” by Trump after she wrote an article detailing Trump’s Atlantic City bad business deals. 

I work daily with words. I read words, write words, hear words, say words. All my life I’ve loved words. I’ve wanted to be somebody who knew how to put the right words together to say something. Sometimes I say something witty, sometimes I say something stupid (more than sometimes, actually), sometimes I say something that makes somebody’s day, makes somebody smile or makes somebody angry and frustrated (just ask my ex-girlfriend, Claudia about that last one. Actually no - don't do that. Really don't). But I’ll never be able to put words together the way one of my heroes, Aaron Sorkin does. There is nothing else I can possibly say at this point so I’m going to let him take it from here. I'd listen to him. Dude has an Oscar!