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The Big Picture brings together a range of PS commentaries to give readers a comprehensive understanding of topics in the news – and the deeper issues driving the news. The Big Question features concise contributor analysis and predictions on timely topics.
Guardians of the People
Following in the footsteps of authoritarian leaders throughout history, Donald Trump has used his presidency to wage war on the press – and on the truth itself. But, if anything, Trump's hot air has put wind in journalists’ sails.
In this Big Picture, Laura Tyson and Lenny Mendonca describe how citizen activists and entrepreneurs across the United State are working to rejuvenate local news coverage. And Bajinder Pal Singh argues that newspapers have made a strong recovery in recent years by offering readers the kind of fact-based reporting that they cannot find on social media.
Meanwhile, Chris Patten offers a global perspective, noting that US journalists have been far more willing than their British counterparts to push back against Trump's abuses of power. As Tony Karon predicted early in Trump's term, the “access journalism” of past years has given way to a more adversarial approach that puts truth-telling first.