Trump speaks with admiration of the censored Pakistani press



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After 15 minutes of rowdy questions from rambunctious Pakistani journalists, President Trump addresses Imran Khan, the country's prime minister, and asks, "Where do you find journalists like this?"

"These guys are fantastic," said Trump.

Prior to his meeting with Khan, the former cricketer turned politician, the US president had been considered by the traveling press as the "honest" leader of the United States and a possible Nobel laureate in issues that resembled the most often to statements. The result was a love for Trump who relaxed and joked with the reporters.

An hour later, things could not have been more different. He was back at the same seat in the same room. Andrzej Duda, President of Poland, occupied this other place. He was reduced to the role of observer since Trump was launching an assault on the press at the White House who had accompanied him to New York.

"You should be ashamed of yourself," he said with a dark look, while he was questioned about what he had done and had not said at one time. phone call with the President of Ukraine about Joe Biden. And not all. We have great journalists around. But you have a lot of dishonest journalists. You are twisted like hell. "

And with that, the press was rushed out of the conference room of the Intercontinental Barclay Hotel, where Trump was installed for an afternoon of face-to-face meetings with world leaders.

The difference between the two sessions marked the ups and downs of Trump's relationship with the press in one day. While one group of journalists was looking to destroy it, the other was totally behind the head of their country, at least it seemed to Trump.

Thus, at the first session, a speaker began his comments on Kashmir by accusing India of being the aggressor, while another said that Trump would deserve a Nobel Prize he could finally put an end to the conflict.

Trump has heard reporters apparently supporting Khan's policy of putting pressure on India for the Kashmir resolution.

"Your press has an extraordinary spirit," Trump told Khan. "I do not see that. With us, they always want to destroy our country. And with your press, it's really – they would like to see something positive for your country. "

Jeanne Zaino, professor of political science at Iona College, said it was easy to see that Trump was delighted with the change of pace from the usual questions about American electoral politics.

"For Donald Trump, he wants the softball issues he's getting from these reporters," she said. "But that reflects a form of government and a press role he reads as supporters of the United States, while it might be more complicated than that."

The answer may lie in the complex relationship between Pakistan and a free press. Deregulation has resulted in an explosion of television channels and riotous news programs, but the country's powerful military system has often been accused of murdering or punching journalists who have investigated its own role in corruption or its links. with terrorist groups.

Many journalists believe the situation has worsened since Khan took power. The government plans to set up media tribunals to resolve the disputes, but reporters worry that it will be an attempt to bury them in litigation and tighten control.

During the summer, opposition parties accused the prime minister of intimidating broadcasters in order to rid him of his critics after the removal of several channels.

Michael Kugelman, senior associate of the Wilson Center for Southeast Asia, said: "I think that in the past year, the army has emboldened, sending the message that if you want to stay on the air or want to stay in circulation, stay away from certain themes and highlight others. "

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