By Caleb Tobin, Editor-in-Chief
I normally use this letter to go over what The Summit has been up to since the last print issue, giving you all an insight into what we’ve been reporting on and the goals we hope to accomplish. Given the gravity of recent events, however, I thought it more pertinent to use this letter to address those topics instead.
Like many of you, I do not know what the future has in store for us. With Donald Trump now heading back to the White House, we are living in a world full of uncertainty. We are living in a world where a convicted felon, who attempted to prevent the peaceful transfer of power in 2021, can be elected back to the very office he tried so desperately to cling to. We now live in a world where many Americans will have to wonder if their own government will go after them simply for existing or doing something the president doesn’t like.
This is especially true for journalists, whom Trump has consistently attacked since the day he started his campaign in 2015. He has called journalists “lying, disgusting people,” has threatened to revoke broadcasting licenses of organizations who air critical coverage of him, and surrounds himself with people who promise to “prosecute them [journalists] for crimes.” Trump even “joked” at a rally that he wouldn’t mind if members of the media were shot, saying, “I have a piece of glass here... But all we have really over here is the fake news. And to get me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news. And I don’t mind that so much. I don’t mind that.”
Even though Trump may not have the power under the law to carry out his desire to punish the media, who knows what will happen a year from now? With a Supreme Court likely to see an additional two appointments by Trump, a Republican-controlled Senate, and a staff who is staunchly loyal to him, Trump may get to see his wishes come to fruition. That should terrify anybody who values the First Amendment and a free press.
I know that many others and I have been asking the question of “what now?” A free press is fundamental to holding those in power accountable, now more than ever. But what do you do when your own government sees a free press as a threat? I think the only thing we can do is to keep doing good journalism and continue to educate people on what is happening in their towns, states, and countries. This has its own set of challenges, with many Americans turning to non-traditional outlets, such as Instagram, TikTok, and, YouTube, that are ripe with misinformation. I cannot encourage people enough to put down social media and read actual news outlets, whether it be The New York Times, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, or your state and local papers.
While there are those who feel powerless at this moment, fearing what attacks against the media a second Trump administration will bring, all we can do is continue to do our jobs in the face of uncertainty. It is not an ideal situation to be in, but this is our new reality for the next four years.
This November issue of The Summit is the last paper before winter break and can be found in buildings across campus. Our fourth print issue of the year will be published in February. Until then, stay safe and have a wonderful holiday season.
Caleb Tobin
Editor in Chief
The Summit News
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