By installing checks and balances against the powers of government, the information that journalism provides is deemed crucial to modern society. Theoretically, at least, journalists occupy the front rows in the show of history, which they record live. But journalism forfeits this function when it becomes a political player with a vested interest in backing one side over the other, turning its spotlight on one situation or group while deliberately ignoring or obscuring others. Such flagrant bias misleads the public and blinds them to their true interests, with harmful effects that are exponentially higher in this age of countless television channels, websites and think tank reports.
In the past few weeks, the US press, followed by a host of international media, have been obsessed with the presidential debate between US President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump. Last week in this space, I argued that this event actually put paid to the rosy image of American democratic practice.
But events since the debate have proved even more shocking. America’s mainstream media, again followed by its international counterparts, homed in on a single story: President Biden’s stuttering, memory lapses, and inability to respond coherently to questions put to him. This initial reading of his performance was not wrong. But the collective leap to turn it into the big story, elaborating on it and inflating it further, not even asking whether this was a one-off anomaly or a sign of something more chronic, was of a different order. Without pausing for breath, the press immediately turned to the search for an alternative while doing the rounds of Democratic bigwigs to obtain statements urging the president to withdraw from the electoral race. In doing so, the press thrust itself into the heart of the political process, uninvited, without legislative authorisation. Meanwhile, Biden’s electoral rival, Trump, vanished from the picture and his felony convictions were forgotten.
After the media deluge, the public was left with the impression that Biden was on his way out and that Vice President Kamala Harris would be the heir apparent. The only question now was whether she could beat Trump and, if so, whether she could perform the duties of the highest public office. The significance of the Republican foe had once again been diminished. He had delivered the death blow to Biden and the results of the inevitable match-up against Harris would be a foregone conclusion. So, again, the press is deep in politics, shaping the American public’s choices and decisions.
Despite Biden’s unfortunate state of health, it is impossible to deny his political acumen. After all, he won 87 per cent of the votes in the Democratic Party’s primaries. Secondly, there is still a long way to go to the party’s convention. During that time, there will be plenty of medical updates, public opinion polls, and media outlets focusing their glare on the president who has nonetheless demonstrated grit and determination. In a very short time, he managed to restore party unity while daring those who secretly whisper that he should step aside to challenge him openly in the upcoming convention. Last week’s NATO summit in Washington gave Biden another opportunity to let the American public draw their own comparisons, this time between his positions on NATO and Trump’s previous and likely future stances on the country’s principal alliance.
American voters should keep their eyes on several things as the elections approach. One is the president’s physical and cognitive health. News about that will, of course, continue to abound. The second is public opinion polls and whether Biden will be able to close the six-point gap that loomed between him and Trump in the aftermath of the debate. A crucial landmark in this regard are the forthcoming Democratic and Republican conventions, which will put both contenders to the test. Thirdly, there is the train of convictions and trials awaiting Trump, from the sentencing in the case of hush money paid Stormy Daniels to the still to be heard cases on incitement to storm Congress to prevent the certification of the 2020 election, the removal of confidential files from the Oval Office and hiding them in Mar-a-Lago, and the unlawful pressuring of election officials in Georgia in 2020 to get them to change the ballot results in that state.
In short, the electoral battle will return to its proper foundations, balance will be restored, and the constitution and law will be brought to bear.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 18 July, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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