Authoritarian regimes, dictators, despots are often, but not always, fools. But none is foolish enough to give perceptive, dissident writers free range to publish their judgments or follow their creative instincts. They know they do so at their own peril. They are not stupid enough to abandon control (overt or insidious) over the media. Their methods include surveillance, censorship, arrest, even slaughter of those writers informing and disturbing the public. Writers who are unsettling, calling into question, taking another, deeper look. Writers – journalists, essayists, bloggers, poets, playwrights – can disturb the social oppression that functions like a coma on the population, a coma despots call peace, and they stanch the blood flow of war that hawks and profiteers thrill to. “PERIL” by TONI MORRISON
Rockland resident, Pulitzer AND Nobel Prize winner, Toni Morrison (1931-2019), wrote that in 2008. Obviously, she sensed the gathering storm of fascism that thrives on silence. Despite protestations to the contrary, it has come closer to reality on an almost daily basis. Under the leadership of President Trump and his Administration, a purge of ANY voice that he and his cadre of supporters deem uncomplimentary to the President has begun.
These voices include not only journalists (my ilk) personally but all the content creators in the media outlets they represent. In addition, they have promised to attack bloggers, poets, essayists, and even comedians whose whole profession is based on finding humor in ALL things!
Marshall McLuhan (1911-1980) famously wrote “the medium is the message” in 1964. From this it is implied that whoever controls the media controls the message and, therefore, the PEOPLE. This, of course, is right out of The Fascism 101 Handbook. Dictators have employed this tactic since the beginning of time. And now, under this Administration, it has accelerated.
Mr. Trump has recently used his power and influence as President to force both CBS and ABC to capitulate to his demands. In addition to winning large monetary settlements from both media outlets, he got them to make major concessions in both their programming and personnel.
These changes included the eventual cancellation of CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, even though it is the #1 rated late night talk show and recently won an Emmy. There are two important factors to note here: 1. Stephen Colbert is an outspoken critic of Mr. Trump, often spending his entire monologue lampooning him. 2. CBS/Paramount needed Federal Communication Approval (FCC) to complete a multi- billion-dollar merger with another media company.
Of course, we know that the FCC answers only to President Trump, so it’s not difficult to connect the dots. Virtually the same scenario occurred recently at ABC with the suspension of their late-night host, Jimmy Kimmel. After a rather banal comment about the murder of conservative activist, Charlie Kirk, a close friend of the President, ABC suspended Kimmel indefinitely. Mr. Trump is also often the target of Mr. Kimmel’s humor. It should be noted that Disney/ABC was ALSO in the process of closing another multi-billion merger deal. And guess who they needed approval from to make that happen? Yup, the FCC.
It’s not hard to see what this is. This is the behavior of a criminal organization, not that of the most powerful nation on earth. It’s called putting the strong-arm on someone. As quoted in the film, “The Godfather” Trump made them an offer they couldn’t refuse – play ball or no deal! Even ardent Trump supporter Ted Cruz used a quote from another organized crime film, “Goodfellas”, to criticize the President.
But it’s not just the Big Guys they’re going after. It’s you and I, too. In fact, I’m sensing a palpable fear within the writing and publishing community. It’s as if instead of writing with a completely free and clear conscience, I’m now writing as if someone is looking over my shoulder – and not in a good way. This, of course, is anathema to a free society.
As a journalist I have always been a huge proponent of the 1st Amendment. In fact, I find it sacrosanct. It is the FIRST Amendment for a reason. In my mind, none of the others could exist without it. I certainly have my point of view and until now, I’ve never had one moment of hesitation to express it. And, even if I am critical of another’s POV I would NEVER deny them their right to have and express it. THAT’S what made America great and will again.
Remember, Democracy dies in silence. *
*Washington Post
Frank LoBuono is a Nyack Resident, photographer, blogger and retired CBS News journalist.
Photo by Frank LoBuono
