NYT Publisher Says Free Press Is ‘Under Direct Attack’

In a speech at the University of Notre Dame’s Kellogg Institute for International Studies Tuesday, A.G. Sulzberger, publisher of The New York Times described the free press as “under direct attack” in the U.S. and abroad.

He attributed this to an “anti-press campaign” that he called “the most frontal attack on the American press in a century.” He specifically criticized President Donald Trump’s rhetoric, such as labeling the press “the enemy of the people” and using terms like “fake news,” which Sulzberger argued have emboldened authoritarian leaders globally to suppress journalists. He noted that his rhetoric has shifted into action during Trump’s second term, citing tactics like sowing distrust in media and weaponizing civil courts against journalists.

AG Sulzberger

Sulzberger’s warnings date back to Trump’s first term. In a 2018 meeting with Trump, Sulzberger expressed concern that the president’s language, particularly calling journalists “the enemy of the people,” was “divisive” and “increasingly dangerous,” contributing to threats and violence against journalists. He reiterated these concerns in 2019, noting a global rise in attacks, censorship, and murders of journalists, partly fueled by Trump’s rhetoric being used by foreign regimes to justify crackdowns. For example, he cited cases where Times reporters faced arrest or deportation in Egypt, with U.S. officials under Trump’s administration offering little support.

2024 Op-Ed: In a September 2024 op-ed in The Washington Post, Sulzberger warned that Trump and his allies might draw from an authoritarian “anti-press playbook” seen in countries like Hungary, India, and Brazil. He described tactics such as using tax laws, broadcast licensing, and government subsidies to undermine independent media while rewarding compliant outlets. Sulzberger emphasized that these methods are subtle but effective, avoiding overt actions like jailing journalists in favor of bureaucratic pressure.

While Sulzberger’s warnings highlight real risks, some argue he overstates Trump’s impact or ignores broader factors eroding trust in media, such as perceived bias or sensationalism. The Times itself has faced criticism for a leftward shift since 2017, which may fuel distrust among conservatives.

 Additionally, Trump’s defenders argue his rhetoric targets specific outlets for unfair coverage rather than the press as a whole, and his openness to interviews (noted by Sulzberger) contrasts with President Biden’s limited media access