Protecting Journalists From Assault

There are laws  increasing penalties for assaulting law enforcement and health care providers.  These laws are meant to protect people who put themselves at risk for the good of society.  One of the most basic freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution is freedom of the press, and people are putting themselves at risk to provide that freedom.  The protection of journalists to perform their jobs without fear of being assaulted needs to be increased.

The fact that journalists need to fear attack is because of Donald Trump and his rhetoric egging on a certain cretinous segment of the population.  Trump and his party are desperate to hold onto power amidst a society that is moving away from their brand of authoritarianism, and he targets the most fearful to commit his violent acts of intimidation on people dedicated to telling the truth.

There are some in congress proposing bills that would make assaulting journalists in the act of doing their jobs a federal crime.  The most rabid of Trump supporters would not be swayed by the threat of punishment though this might discourage some of the less zealous from crossing the line.  Trump needs to also be considered complicit for any injury committed on a journalist by a supporter of his, beings he has actively encouraged this violence.

As the country progresses past this last gasp of barbarism, the idea of Trump spending his last year or two locked in prison for abetting assault on a journalist is cathartic.  We must work toward a better future where reporting the truth no longer carries the risk of intimidation, injury or death.