John Kerry calls First Amendment ‘major block’ in holding media ‘accountable’
Polls indicate that Americans’ trust in the media is at an all-time low. Those on the Right often refer to much of what the mainstream media reports as “fake news,” while those on the Left characterize much of the reporting from the Right as a “disinformation” problem. However, the approach to resolving these concerns remains partisan.
This issue has come into sharper focus recently following comments by John Kerry, former secretary of state under President Obama, at a World Economic Forum conference. He described the First Amendment as “a major block” to achieving accountability in media reporting on facts.
Kerry’s remarks underscore the delicate balance between protecting free speech and addressing what different political factions consider fake news or disinformation.
“There’s a lot of discussion now on how to curb those entities to guarantee accountability on facts,” Kerry said. “But if people go to one source that has an agenda and puts out disinformation, our First Amendment stands as a major block to just hammer it out of existence.”
Kerry noted that the problem of disinformation is unique to democracies, where no single leader has the authority to define what constitutes factual information. He suggested that the upcoming elections in November could lead to changes, depending on the outcomes for Congress and the White House.
“What we need is to win the ground, win the right to govern, by hopefully winning enough votes that you’re free to implement change,” he said.
“We’re going to have to figure out how we reign in our media environment so you can’t just spew misinformation and disinformation,” she said. “It’s one thing to have differing opinions, but it’s another entirely to just say things that are false. So that’s something we’re looking into.”
The distrust in media and the search for solutions is not a new phenomenon in the United States. In 1949, lawmakers supported what became known as the Fairness Doctrine, motivated by concerns that the three main networks — NBC, ABC, and CBS — could misuse their broadcast licenses to promote a biased public agenda. The Federal Communications Commission enacted the Fairness Doctrine, requiring media outlets to cover controversial public issues and present multiple viewpoints.
The doctrine remained in effect for decades until it was abolished during President Ronald Reagan’s administration in 1987, amid concerns that it violated First Amendment rights.
Watchdog accuses Trump of breaking the law with reported Netanyahu call
The watchdog group American Muckrakers is accusing former President Donald Trump of violating the Logan Act for allegedly holding a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Axios reported that Trump and Netanyahu spoke on the phone Wednesday, Aug. 14, and discussed the Gaza cease-fire and hostage release deal currently being negotiated.
Both Netanyahu and Trump denied the call took place. Trump said he spoke with Netanyahu about the war with Gaza in person at Mar-a-Lago on July 26 where he encouraged him to end it as quickly as possible.
NEW & BREAKING: We've provided Judge Juan Merchan and NYC Dept of Probations Commissioner Juanita Holmes a copy of our letter regarding @realDonaldTrump's alleged Logan Act violations for their consideration. pic.twitter.com/IFwCYkRWsO
In a letter addressed to New York Judge Juan Merchan, American Muckrakers claimed that conversation may have been a violation of the Logan Act by negotiating and/or interfering with Netanyahu.
Merchan is the judge overseeing Trump’s New York hush money case and American Muckrakers hoped he’d take the information into consideration for his sentencing.
The Logan Act was passed in 1799 and makes it illegal for unauthorized Americans to engage with foreign governments regarding disputes with the United States. Only two people have ever been charged in the country’s history, so it’s unlikely Trump would face any consequences, even if the call went exactly the way American Muckrakers alleged.
Trump himself accused former Secretary of State John Kerry of violating the Logan Act when the former president pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal.
On May 7, 2018, Trump tweeted, “The United States does not need John Kerry’s possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal. He was the one that created this MESS in the first place!”
The Boston Globe reported that Kerry engaged in “unusual shadow diplomacy” with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in an attempt to salvage the nuclear deal he helped negotiate as secretary of state under the Obama administration.
Kerry said he did not meet with any Iranians after Trump formally pulled out of the deal and that he had a right to speak against the move as an American citizen.
Trump’s then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at the time, “This is a former secretary of state engaged with the world’s largest state sponsor of terror, and according to him, he was talking to them, he was telling them to wait out this administration.”
Kerry was never charged with violating any law.
Trump leads in Iowa ahead of record-cold caucuses, The Morning Rundown, Jan. 15, 2024
Voters are ready to be heard as the 2024 presidential primary kicks off in Iowa. And congressional leaders said they have reached a deal to avert a government shutdown. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.
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On Monday, Jan. 15, the 2024 presidential primaries officially kick off with the Iowa caucuses, where 40 delegates are up for grabs, as the GOP frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, tops the latest poll. Republicans will host voters at designated caucus locations, including schools, gyms, community centers, churches, and other venues, to listen to speeches about the presidential candidates before they decide on a choice.
But undecided voters are not the only unpredictable factor candidates are dealing with this year; another component could cause major issues: the weather. Record-cold is slated for Iowa, with temperatures set to hover around 20 degrees below zero around 7 p.m. central, the start of the caucuses. Arctic air is expected to bring wind chills between 35 and 45 degrees below zero through Tuesday, Jan. 16.
A spokesperson for the Iowa Republican party says Iowans are well acclimated to the midwest winters and understand what’s at stake. As many are concerned about the numbers on the thermometer, others are focused on the numbers from the latest poll released over the weekend. The final poll before the caucuses, conducted by NBC News and the Des Moines Register, shows former President Donald Trump with a nearly 30-point lead over his opponents – with 48% first-choice support.
Former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley is in second place in the poll, narrowly edging past Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Meanwhile, Democrats in Iowa will hold in-person caucuses on Monday, Jan. 15, but only to conduct party business, not for voting. The Iowa Democratic party in the state is asking voters to send in their choice for president by mail. The results will be announced in March.
Arctic blast sends extreme cold across the country
As voters in Iowa contend with record-breaking cold weather, they are not alone. An arctic blast is sweeping across the country, from Canada to the U.S., with many locations facing dangerously low temperatures. States of emergency have been issued in multiple states, including Arkansas, Colorado, New York, and Nebraska.
More than one million Americans were under a wind chill warning or advisory on Sunday, Jan. 14, with the temperature feeling like 60 degrees below zero in parts of Montana. Blizzard conditions forced the postponement of an NFL game in Buffalo from Sunday, Jan. 14, to Monday, Jan. 15. Record-high tides flooded homes in Maine and New Hampshire. The severe weather is being blamed for at least four deaths in Oregon, with strong winds knocking over trees in two incidents, two other victims died of suspected hypothermia.
U.S. fighter jet shoots down Houthi missile in Red Sea
A U.S. fighter jet shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen, aimed at an American destroyer in the Red Sea, on Sunday, Jan. 14, according to U.S. officials. The attempted attack marked the first attack by the Houthis since the U.S. and its allies began retaliatory strikes against the Iranian-backed militant group.
According to the U.S. Central Command, no injuries or damage were reported. The U.S.-led airstrikes against the Houthis began on Friday, Jan. 12, in response to the group’s attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The U.S. and United Kingdom forces struck more than 60 targets, including weapon depots, radars, and command centers. On Saturday, Jan. 13, another strike conducted by U.S. forces targeted a Houthi radar site.
Congressional leaders agree on two-tiered funding deal to avert shutdown
Congressional leaders announced on Sunday, Jan. 14, that they have agreed on a short-term funding bill to avert a partial government shutdown later this week. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., unveiled the two-tiered continuing resolution to fund the government through March 1 and 8.
Schumer said the Senate will begin moving the legislation through as soon as it reconvenes on Tuesday, Jan. 16.
“The bipartisan topline funding agreement reached ensures that America will be able to address many of the major challenges our country faces at home and abroad,” Schumer said in a statement.
In his own statement, Johnson said the bill is required to complete what House Republicans are working hard to achieve. The deal comes a week after last weekend’s agreement that set the overall spending level at $1.59 trillion. Should the bill pass, it will mark the third short-term spending deal since September.
The current deal, which went into effect in September, funded some federal departments until Jan. 19 and others until Feb. 2. This latest funding bill would need to be agreed upon by both the House and Senate by Friday, Jan. 19 to avoid a shutdown.
John Kerry expected to step down as special envoy for climate
According to multiple reports, John Kerry plans to step down as President Biden’s special envoy for climate by the spring. Kerry will reportedly go on to help Biden in his bid for reelection. Sources tell several news outlets that Kerry met Biden last week to tell the president of his decision to resign from the position. Kerry’s staff was notified on Saturday, Jan. 13.
Kerry has held the role since 2021 and led the U.S. through three international climate summits, including last month’s COP28. The 80-year-old former secretary of state is still expected to attend the World Economic Forum in Switzerland this week.
NFL Wild Card game on Peacock makes history
An update to the first NFL playoff game to air exclusively on a streaming platform, in no surprise to many, broke records, and not just with the temperature. The wild card game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Jan. 13, aired on NBC’s streaming service Peacock, and it is now the most streamed U.S. event ever.
According to NBC, the game drew 23 million viewers, but that’s not all – it was also the country’s largest internet usage event. NBC said the wild card game accounted for 30% of web traffic, making Saturday, Jan. 13, the single highest day of U.S. internet usage in history. The Chiefs won the game 26-7.
Historic COP28 plan to phase out oil met with criticism from scientists
In what is being called a “historic” agreement, nearly 200 nations have agreed to transition away from fossil fuels during the United Nations’ annual climate summit, COP28, held this year in Dubai. This pact marked the first time a consensus was reached on phasing out oil, coal and gas during the nearly three decades of these meetings.
“For the very first time at a COP, fossil fuels have been on the table as a major part of our negotiations,” said John Kerry, U.S. special climate envoy. “And the decision that came out of this, clearly embraces transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, so as to achieve net zero by 2050.”
“The COP28 outcome only describes partial measures in very vague and non-committal terms,” said Joeri Rogelj, director of research at the Grantham Institute. “This leaves lots of room for interpretation which will have to be dealt with in the years to come. While the COP28 outcome is a step in the right direction, it is also a hesitant and insufficient step. It is far from clear that this will keep global warming within the safety limits set out by the Paris Agreement.”
Both climate scientists and activists have expressed their disappointment with the non-binding COP28 agreement, saying it lacks strong enough language to spur meaningful action and features numerous loopholes.
Moving away from fossil fuels is just one of several options the pact offers nations to contribute to the global carbon pollution reduction effort.
“COP28 needed to deliver an unambiguous statement about the rapid phase out of fossil fuels,” said Dr. James Dyke, from the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter. “Unfortunately, that did not happen. While the agreement’s call for the need to transition away from fossil fuels is welcome, it has numerous caveats and loopholes that risks rendering it meaningless.”
A number of countries have referred to the results of this climate summit as “incremental and not transformational.” These nations have pointed to data which shows that in order for the planet to avoid exceeding the Paris Agreement climate parameters, steep emissions cuts must be made, none of which are mandated by this latest deal.
“As the new agreement locks in high levels of emissions for years to come, the temperature will continue to rise,” said Kevin Anderson, professor of energy and climate change at the Tyndall Centre. “We face a climate emergency that the COP process appears simply unwilling or unable to address.”
However, despite the criticism, advocates of the COP28 pledge hope it will ultimately be a stepping stone to further climate action around the world in the coming years.
Wind power poised to surpass coal; nuclear grabs international attention
Wind power could produce more electricity than coal by 2026, according to Gavin Maguire’s commentary piece for Reuters. Data from think tank Ember revealed that coal-fired electricity generation was 60% greater than that of wind in the first 10 months of 2023. However, that lead could shrink as companies are closing coal plants and pivoting to renewable energy sources.
The landscape has shifted and indicates it will continue to do so. Renewable energy sources surpassed coal in the electric power sector for the first time in 2022, according to the Energy Information Administration.
Pleased to launch the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy at #COP28 with 20+ countries from four continents.
Nuclear power that adheres to the highest standards of safety, sustainability, security, and non-proliferation has a key role to play in keeping 1.5 C within reach. pic.twitter.com/ptrXlRFtsP
“Nuclear power that adheres to the highest safety, sustainability, security and non-proliferation standards has a key role to play in keeping 1.5 C within reach” climate envoy John Kerry posted on X.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s benchmark is 1.5°C, representing the critical threshold for limiting global warming compared to pre-industrial times.
Biden to issue mandates, executive orders on climate: Media Miss
According to Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, President Joe Biden plans to issue executive orders and climate mandates to reach his goal of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030. In an interview with Yahoo News, Kerry said the executive orders and climate mandates are in addition to the Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to reduce emissions by 40%.
Kerry called on corporations to contribute to the effort in order to reach net-zero emissions in 2050. As for a potential ban on gas stoves, Kerry said such a change isn’t necessary yet to reduce emissions. However, in New York, a proposal to ban gas stoves looks like it could pass in the near future.
The law imposes a charge on oil and gas companies’ methane emissions. However, the legislation also needed to support those industries, to a certain extent, in order to pass. So, the Inflation Reduction Act bolstered gas and oil development by leasing public land for new projects and streamlined project permitting.
The net carbon emissions reduced from the Inflation Reduction Act is not enough to reach Biden’s climate goal, which may be the reason for the additional mandates.
Straight Arrow News aims to identify when stories are being underreported on either side of the political aisle and media landscape. This story is a Media Miss for left-leaning outlets, with most sources reporting it being either right-leaning or center-oriented outlets, according to Ground.News.
John Kerry to propose expanded carbon credit program at Cop27
Government leaders and climate scientists from around the world are in Egypt for Cop27, the UN’s Climate Implementation Summit. John Kerry is the U.S. climate envoy to the summit.
The Washington Post reported on Wednesday, Kerry is expected to propose a plan he hopes will help developing nations stop using fossil fuels. Under Kerry’s plan, businesses and governments from wealthier nations would give money to developing countries by expanding the use of carbon credits.
A carbon credit is like a permit representing one ton of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere. Traditionally, carbon credits go to renewable energy projects, where the developer can sell the credit to larger companies that are still polluting.
The market for carbon credits is unregulated, and participation is voluntary. Kerry thinks expanding it, however, is still the best option to help third-world countries decrease dependency on fossil fuels.
Right now, carbon credits are awarded on a per-project basis. Mr. Kerry wants to change credit allocation to a more regional basis, which he expects will encourage more wide-scale renewable energy development.
The U.S. and China are the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters. The countries are facing mounting global pressure to assist third-world countries transition away from fossil fuels. President Joe Biden is expected to go to Cop27 later this week. It seems unlikely, though, Chinese President Xi Jinping will go to the climate conference.