Social media users blasted CNN for running an opinion piece that equates journalists with soldiers, calling the network out for "minimizing the true sacrifice of our armed forces.”
Joseph Holt, a University of Notre Dame professor of ethics, wrote a piece condemning President Trump’s repeated labeling of the press as the “enemy of the people.” While he acknowledges that journalists make mistakes, he also says at its best, the press “is like a guardian angel that caringly and capably protects us from harm.”
"It is a sad day for democracy when the leader of the free world repeatedly calls the press the 'enemy of the people,' and his chief spokeswoman can't bring herself to say that isn't so," writes @busethicsdude https://t.co/0iwetnSvUR
— CNN Opinion (@CNNOpinion) August 3, 2018
Ultimately, he concludes that because of this, they are just like soldiers.
“We thank soldiers for their service because they devote themselves to protecting our freedoms, and we should,” he said. “But we should also thank the media for the same reason -- especially when the stakes have never been higher.”
The backlash was swift:
C'mon, man.https://t.co/G14wnHvcUk pic.twitter.com/uvKb3Gwv3C
— Christopher J. Scalia (@cjscalia) August 7, 2018
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Shame on @CNN. It is disgraceful for any “news” corporation to engage in this caliber of self-flagellation while minimizing the true sacrifice of our armed forces. pic.twitter.com/tJvWiU8S75
— Elliott Hamilton (@ElliottRHams) August 7, 2018
Not a single American who HASN’T served has no right to be comparing themselves to any man or women serving in our military.
— Elijah G Cohen (@Elijah_GCohen) August 7, 2018
It’s disgusting, arrogant, and wrong.
CNN lacks any self awareness. Comparing themselves to the troops is wrong and unpatriotic.
— Seth(The Manhattan conservative) (@conservative013) August 7, 2018
That takes sanctimonious to a whole new level. Does anyone really think any @cnn person not in a real war zone is in danger? This is all manufactured.
— Blackirish317 (@blackirish317) August 7, 2018
— JacqueB???? (@RealWomenVoters) August 7, 2018
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