U.S. Media Criticized for Downplaying Trump’s Actions in Venezuela as Act of War
The U.S. media’s response to President Trump’s actions in Venezuela, including attacks and the kidnapping of its leader, has been surprisingly mild, avoiding terms like “act of war” and “coup.” Instead, mainstream outlets framed the events as “operations” or “pressure campaigns,” mirroring the administration’s language. This reluctance to use stronger terms, even in the face of blatant violations of international law, indicates a pattern of state subservience and sanitization in media coverage. The media’s choice of language, particularly in comparison to its coverage of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, reveals a willingness to adopt the administration’s preferred framing, effectively acting as stenographers to power.
John Q. Hosedrinker