On Oct. 19, NCC’s Cultural Events Committee sponsored a screening of The First 100, a documentary about the first 100 days of U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term.
Brian Karem, a veteran broadcast journalist and 1991 Winner of the National Press Club Freedom of the Press Award, directed and narrated the film. During the event, Karem himself was present and spoke to an audience of NCC students and faculty about the significance of this story, his own experiences as a journalist and the current state of the U.S., two years into President Trump’s second term.
Brian Karem was invited to the event after the documentary was presented at the Chelsea Film Festival in New York. He then plans to go to L.A. and then D.C. after. In his words, he wanted to cover this story because explaining what’s going on becomes part of the job after covering the White House for so long.
Threat to journalism
One of the biggest worries that he expressed was what was happening to journalism and how it’s no longer what it used to be. Not only is the President tearing the press apart, with actions like banning journalists from the press secretary’s office, and even more recently, unfavored journalists from the White House entirely, but a growing lack of context proves to be the biggest threat to journalism as of now. “It’s not journalism,” said Karem.
To compare, he mentioned journalists that he met, highlighting the difference between now and then. Helen Thomas was a woman who covered 10 presidents and asked hard questions. She was respected, even being brought coffee and donuts in the morning while she covered the White House. Sam Donaldson was said to be a man who held people accountable no matter who they are. “If I can’t hold people I like accountable, I don’t deserve to be here.”
Karem told other stories from that time like when he met President Reagan. While Karem did not agree with Reagan’s politics, he said “we respected each other. There was a sense of humor.”
Violating the constitution
Holding people accountable is a topic that Karem went back to a lot. President Trump is not being held accountable for his multiple violations of the constitution we have seen only two years into this term. Restricting the press already violates the first amendment. ICE has attacked people indiscriminately and without due process, violating the fifth amendment.
President Trump has also allowed cases such as criminals facing cruel and unusual punishments like proposing a paraplegic man be strapped to a wall and sentenced to death by firing squad or botching the execution of a woman sentenced to death 30 years ago, instead having her suffer in a hospital for days due to a failed lethal injection. A violation of the eighth amendment.
“This is what happens when you’re not involved in your government,” Karem said. “Not educated.”
Q&A
After the documentary, there was a Q&A section where Karem addressed the worries of those in attendance. One thing he noted was that President Trump’s voters and supporters are in favor of him for specific reasons.
“They’re not stupid,” Karem said. “They feel they were left out. Donald Trump is a grifter who listens to people who are confused, upset, and angry.”
When one student expressed their belief that the constitution was concrete, Karem responded “the constitution is words. It’s the people who make it concrete.”
Some of the most common questions asked were what solutions there are or what the people of the U.S. can do now. “Involvement is the way forward,” Karem said.
One of the most important ways you can get involved is voting. Something that not enough people do unless it’s an on-cycle election.
“20% of people decide what 80% of us go through,” Karem said. “People will stand in line for a rollercoaster, but not to vote.”
This lack of education about current events is a big part of why Karem believes having journalists with strong convictions is so important.
“Journalism is the application of the scientific method to mass communication,” Karem said. “As a reporter, you don’t answer to editors, friends or even your work. You answer people.”
We live in confusing times, but it is our duty as citizens to push back when needed. Politicians should answer to the people of the United States. When given unsatisfying answers, it is up to the people to react accordingly.
“Politicians are our employees,” Karem said. “Get involved. Who gives a shit if it’s rude, just answer the fucking question!”
