America needs to embrace new ways to support freedom of the press

Politicians often have a love-hate relationship with the press. They crave media attention to build their name recognition and spread their policy ideas. But at the same time, they may be vexed by journalists who ask embarrassing questions or questions on subjects they would rather avoid. In today’s 24-hour, viral news cycle, one false move or unguarded moment can be ruinous.

As President Trump carries out his concerted campaign against press freedom, it is more important than ever that leaders at the state and local level stand up for and renew their commitment. They will need to bring new models of civic tolerance to bear in their interactions with the press as they campaign and govern.

That will require governors, mayors and others to lead the way in promoting innovative approaches to addressing the growing crisis in journalism nationwide.

In the past, political leaders spent a lot of energy developing strategies to control media access or to manage reporters’ lines of inquiry. Generally, those strategies and management tactics are kept under wraps so that politicians can seem genuine and open.

But on May 12, former Health and Human Services Secretary and California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra let the cat out of the bag at the start of an interview with a Los Angeles-based television station, KTLA. An article in The Hill recounts that as the cameras rolled, Becerra asked KTLA’s Annie Rose Ramos, “’By the way, this is a profile piece, this is not a gotcha piece, right?’”  

Ramos responded: “Well, look, I think these questions are fair.” Seeking to put up guardrails, Becerra added, “The way I describe........

© The Hill