Will 2021 usher in a new era of the President’s relationship with the press corps? Ksenija Pavlovic Mcateer thinks so.
Good Morning, America.
I have no idea what happened at the change of New Year’s guard last night. I was so jet-lagged that I officially welcomed 2021 on London time and soon after fell asleep.
I tuned into CBS This Morning with Oprah’s best pal Gayle King. It’s fascinating journalism that the two of them are doing, Gayle being able to make the resolution writing, mental health, and well-being, newsy. She even interviewed Katy Perry about the time when she was clinically depressed. In 2017 singer’s career did not meet her expectations; she broke up with Orlando, fantasizing about “not being around.” She did not go there, but the struggle was real.
The past four years at the White House and in my line of work were toxic and deprived of joy and positivity. By definition, political news is not designed to be walk in the prak or entertaining, but Trump’s communication team’s relationship with the press was tough to navigate. The press corps was combative like never before, and in many ways, there is a hope that Jen Psaki will be able to restore the professional relationship between the press and the president.
In an interview for NPR, Psaki said, “anybody who covered only the Trump administration who’s looking for a continuation of the Game of Thrones-style personnel sniping, they will be sorely disappointed, I believe. Our goal is for there to be a return to policy processes and policy briefings and policy experts..”
If the Biden administration manages to do this, journalism’s quality will improve and the audiences’ expectations. During the Trump administration, many journalists on the anti-Trump side of the political spectrum were all about shouting and grandstanding. Attacking Trump was considered a good career move, a step toward a contract on cable TV and a book deal. The more I observe the No 10 Downing Street press conferences’ tone and style, the more I realize how far American journalism has gone from anything resembling informed political discourse. If I have one hope for 2021 is that the press relationship with the White House press office becomes something no one has to worry about. Based on Jen Psaki’s promises, she wants for our relationship to improve.
Today officially is January 1, and while nothing changed since yesterday’s last year, a new energy charge is palpable in the air. People want to lean on something positive and soothing. 2020 was rough for the majority of people.
It’s time to turn the page.