"Be Nice" Is Not Needed During Crisis — But A Free Press Is

The words come to mind because, once again, President Trump had a contentious moment with a journalist. He squared off Sunday with “PBS NewsHour” reporter Yamiche Alcindorduring the now-daily briefing on the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

Alcindor asked Trump about comments he made during a Fox News interview regarding requests from governors for medical equipment to combat the virus’ effects, which the president claimed were inflated or unnecessary. Alcindor said she was quoting him directly from the program.

As Alcindor asked the question, Trump interrupted to say he had not made such comments, and then said, “Why don’t you people act in a little more positive? … It’s always get ya, get ya, get ya,” Trump said to Alcindor. “You know what? That’s why nobody trusts the media anymore.”

Actually, a lot of people do trust the free press today. By most accounts, journalists are earning trust — or re-earning it, if that’s your point of view — and disproving misinformation by reporting facts about the coronavirus pandemic, by holding accountable government officials high and low as they respond to the virus’ spread and by providing the national, regional and local news we need in this unprecedented time of COVID-19.