FOR THE WEEK OF MAR. 23, 2026

Wartime news reports fuel fresh strains between U.S. government and the media

President Trump is unhappy with news coverage of the war against Iran, though a robust press is a cornerstone of our democracy. Media outlets are threatened as they accurately and aggressively cover the war that polls show most Americans question. "The goal seems to be pressuring journalists to back off critical coverage of the war effort, or to at least encourage the public to second-guess reporting that runs counter to the administration's preferred narrative," The New York Times reported last week.

The White House accuses CNN of disloyalty, claiming in a news release that it tried "to undermine our decisive victories." It also criticizes The Times and The Wall Street Journal. "The media has been undeniably biased and negative in its coverage of President Trump and Operation Epic Fury," press secretary Karoline Leavitt said last week."

The head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a traditionally independent regulatory agency, recently warned TV networks that "hoaxes and news distortions" could jeopardize renewal of their local stations' licenses. At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth questions the patriotism of news outlets because of their reporting. "A dishonest and anti-Trump press will stop at nothing, we know at this point, to downplay progress, amplify every cost and call into question every step," he said at a news briefing last Thursday. "They want President Trump to fail." Hegseth now bars still photographers from press conferences, reportedly because of shots he saw as unflattering. Most mainstream news organizations last fall left their Pentagon desks rather than accept new restrictions on their movements and who they can talk to. In a legal victory for journalists, a federal judge ruled last Friday that the revised rules violate the First Amendment and issued an order tossing parts of the policy.

At CNN, chief executive Mark Thompson responds to the antagonism: "We stand by our journalism. Politicians have an obvious motive for claiming that journalism which raises questions about their decisions is false. At CNN our only interest is in telling the truth to our audiences in the U.S. and around the world and no amount of political threats or insults is going to change that." The five-member FCC's only Democrat, Anna Gomez, also pushes back: "The FCC can issue threats all day long, but it is powerless to carry them out. Such threats violate the First Amendment and will go nowhere. Broadcasters should continue covering the news, fiercely and independently, without fear of government pressure." Similarly, noted media industry attorney Floyd Abraham of New York says the administration's media criticisms "are directly threatening First Amendment interests and First Amendment principles."

Trump has sued ABC and CBS over their coverage, with both cases ending in settlements, and has accused The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times of defamation. (The case against The Times was dismissed, though Trump can file a new complaint.) Moreover, the president supports friendly billionaires in the consolidation of news companies. CBS and soon CNN have been acquired by Trump allies.

Republican says: "I would rather the federal government stay out of the private sector as much as possible. And really, the federal government's role is to protect our freedoms, protect our constitutional rights." – Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin

FCC chair says: "Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not." – Brendan Carr

New York Times says: "There is a clear importance and public service to allowing journalists to report fully on the U.S. military. This includes photojournalists, who deserve access and credentialing to attend Pentagon briefings." -- Charles Stadtlander, spokesman for the paper

Front Page Talking Points Archive

Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.