Watchdog calls on Trump to dial back rhetoric against media and critics

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 28 October 2018

The arrest of Cesar Sayoc for mailing bombs highlights the dangers posed by hostile rhetoric against the media. The CPJ warns that Trump's comments contribute to a culture of hostility toward journalists.

Summary

NEW YORK - Federal authorities on Saturday arrested a Florida man, identified as Cesar Sayoc, suspected of mailing 13 bombs addressed to prominent figures and critics of President Donald Trump, two of which were addressed care of CNN at their New York studio.

"It would be reckless and dangerous for President Trump to continue his rhetorical assaults on the press and branding of journalists as enemies of the people after this spate of package bombs aimed at political figures and CNN," said Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney.

"While we cannot say that Trump's speech directly incites violence, it is clear that some people are influenced by it. Journalists across the country feel unsafe because of the constant hostility and belittling of their role in our democracy by the head of state. It needs to stop." – A CPJ statement