Newspapers like the New York Times and the Washington Post and cable news outlets like CNN, MSNBC and most of the rest are not at all motivated by a desire to serve the public, or even to increase their readership or viewership. Instead, they are motivated by a narrow, identitarian political partisanship intended to damage the President and his administration, who they loathe more than any virus.
Let us stipulate that Donald Trump sometimes undermines his own effectiveness by means of verbal excess. But more often than not, he has said and done the right things at the right time, and is presently leading an effective effort to inform and protect the nation against an unforeseen threat of great magnitude.
No one in the news media, in government, or even in medicine has a monopoly on truth and wisdom. The best we can do is observe, learn, and act in accordance with our abilities and values. We can also help others in their time of need, and the most inspirational stories that will come from this episode in human affairs are certain to arise from such noble efforts.
We may also help by refraining from speculation or giving in to fear and anger. That lesson is currently lost on our news media, who in this election year would serve the public best by rediscovering their mission: to inform, enlighten and search for truth above all else.
