Tempers Flare as 'Fake News' Chant Takes on a British Accent
**REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK**
*By J.D. Durkin*
LONDON - While I was silently practicing the pronunciation of Trafalgar and preparing for my next on-air shot, I hadn’t realized that a woman was intently watching me not far from our camera, waiting for me to speak.
Within a few moments after beginning my delivery, anyone within 15 feet easily could have heard her blurt out one unmistakable word: “dishonest!”
What followed was a small series of intentional and searing interruptions while I tried to record a segment on the day’s anti-Trump protests — including the classic but overused “you’re fake news.” The woman was one of many Londoners I met on Friday who expressed a strong suspicion of the media — with a blunt-force urge to convey that fact to us.
For the next five minutes she and I spoke forcefully on the manner back and forth, even as she followed us to our next live shot position to harangue us some more. She could not point to anything specifically wrong with my reporting she thought was dishonest, just that she was not a fan of the idea of the “fake news media.” She knew nothing about Cheddar nor about me, but that didn’t matter: we were American reporters. Protests are big. Immigration is hot. People are angry. Open borders. Law and order. Safety. Trump.
Since we landed in England it was clear that many conservative supporters of the Brexit movement would use the weekend of otherwise anti-Trump rallies to stir the pot and work the soy-sipping libs into a frenzy. They were loud, forward, effective — and they are very clear in their hostility toward the news media.
My colleague Samantha Tadelman — whose Herculean feats of strength in recent days have included hauling 100+ pounds of gear casually throughout Europe — and I saw firsthand how the UK is grappling with all the issues that have roiled U.S.: national identity, immigration, and citizenship. And just as in the U.S., these issues have produced an often harsh and aggressive passion that boils over in confrontations such as those I had on Friday.
At the scene of the Trump balloon baby Friday morning, I found myself on more than one occasion on the receiving end of confrontations with different media hecklers. One called me “total scum,” while another person settled on calling me, strangely, “a bootlicker for George Soros.” Here in London, they are well-versed on the U.S. president’s criticisms against the news media, even mimicking Trump’s cadence as they repeated his popular insults verbatim.
Not all of this anger, though, can be traced directly to Donald Trump. Months before his election, the [Brexit referendum,](https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/eu_referendum/results) which puts the UK on a path to leave the European Union, stirred intense passions here, driven largely by [concerns over immigration.](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/brexit-latest-news-leave-eu-immigration-main-reason-european-union-survey-a7811651.html) But the American president has clearly given Britons (and others around the world) useful soundbites to help channel their passions.
As for the actual “rally-goers” — the majority of the crowds who showed up to protest against the President — the vibe was more reminiscent of a Women’s March: inequality, climate change, feminism, etc. All are welcome here, was the message and most offered some variation of “Trump is a bad actor and we can’t believe he’s president.” Some British infants, no older than 2-years-old, were dressed in anti-Trump gear with their parents.
Tempers flared in London. I tried my best, but I don’t think I changed the previously-held opinion of a single person I engaged with on the issue of “fake news” being the enemy of the people. For now, in this bizarre and uncertain time in the history of global democracies, the media is perceived, by many, to be the enemy actively working against their interests.
The biggest paradox of the experience is that while I was fending off people in London distrustful of the reporters, the President was two hours away openly mocking news outlets that posed critical questions at a [news conference with Prime Minister Theresa May.](https://cheddar.com/videos/trump-strikes-friendly-tone-in-press-conference-with-may) The President slammed U.S. journalists Friday — while on foreign soil — another subtle green light, perhaps, to Americans and foreigners alike to accuse U.S. reporters of being "dishonest."
Members of Congress have voted to advance a bill meant to address antitrust concerns related to tech giants including Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta. The 'American Innovation and Choice Online Act' is largely seen as one of the best chances for the government to reign in Big Tech's dominance
Seth Schachner, Managing Director StratAmericas; Digital Business Executive joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
American semiconductor company, Intel officially announcing plans to build a new $20 billion chip manufacturing complex outside Columbus, Ohio. This comes as the global chip shortage continues to hamper production of everything from smart phones, to cars. Jennifer Smith - Logistics and Supply Chain Reporter, WSJ joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
The U.S. has put more than 8,000 American troops on high alert for possible deployment to Eastern Europe as the West prepares for a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine. With Russia building up more than 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, concerns over the country's behavior are mounting. Joel Rubin, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and President of the Washington Strategy Group, joined Cheddar to discuss what this means for U.S.-Russia relations, and where the conflict might be heading next.
As the midterm election looms, things aren't looking too promising for President Joe Biden. One year into his term as president, Biden is facing one of the lowest approval ratings of any modern-day president, threatening his party's control of the House in 2022. Brian Bennett, Senior White House Correspondent for TIME, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
A full one year into his term as President of The United States, President Biden addressed the nation on Wednesday, facing questions on everything from inflation to chip shortages and covid-19. As Biden enters his second year in office, he is facing one of the lowest approval ratings of any modern-day president. Kate Davidson, Reporter, POLITICO joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
"Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power" is the story of how the longtime House Democrat became, as she Is known to some, as "the Conscience of Congress." The film also
shows Representative Lee from her days working to fight community poverty to famously becoming the only member of Congress to vote "no" against the war in Afghanistan days after 9/11. The film is nominated for an NAACP Image Award, and Premieres on Starz on February 1. Film director Abby Ginzberg and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif. 13th District), joined Cheddar to discuss more.
San Diego has just implemented a new law that could set the stage for how the country deals with food waste. This new law hopes to make a dent in that. Businesses and groceries stores out in San Diego will need to put a plan in place to *donate edible food rather than toss it straight to the trash. Food Rescue Manager at Feeding San Diego, Kate Garret
Earlier this month, New York City experienced one of the deadliest fires it has seen in decades. 17 people lost their lives in the Fordham section of the Bronx. This was due to a faulty space heater which reportedly began on the lower floor of the 120 unit building. Thanks to the F. D. N. Y. And heroic neighbors, many were able to get out in time. Unfortunately, the toxic smoke surged upwards through a safety door. Now, many advocates say negligence by policymakers and landlords has led to the deaths in black and brown communities from fires that honestly could have been preventable. Legislative Director of Citizen Action of New York, Rebecca Garrard, and the Chair of Journalism and New Media Studies at St. Joseph's College Theodore Hamm, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
The Supreme Court has declined to order the Texas Abortion case back to the original trial judge for further proceedings. Essentially if Texas abortion providers were able to get their case back to the lower court., It would have greatly helped the group move against the law. However, this decision is likely to prolong the case legal battle. Professor and Author of "The Turnaway Study: Ten Years, a Thousand Women, and the Consequences of Having — Or Being Denied — An Abortion", Diane Foster, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
The Supreme Court rejected yet another bid by abortion providers to block Texas's law - which bans most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. This is the fourth time that advocates have tried and failed to block the most restrictive abortion ban in the country. Leah Litman, assistant professor of law at The University of Michigan and co-host of the "Strict Scrutiny" podcast, joins Cheddar News to discuss.
