June 2019 Around The World Today Series 2 Episode 8 By Terry D
Around The World Today Series 2 Episode 8 - Bad Guests what can you do with them? Trumps Uk visit looks and talks about the National Health Service. Our NHS is, to quote Abraham Lincoln: "of the people, by the people, for the people" and also asks is FOX news the real Fake News.
Terry begins by discussing the uproar surrounding Trump’s visit, where the US president made several controversial statements, including remarks about the NHS potentially being "on the table" in future trade negotiations between the US and UK.
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Terry examines the public’s reaction to these comments, particularly the fear that the NHS, a cherished public institution, might be subjected to privatization or exploitation in future deals. He invokes Abraham Lincoln’s famous words—“of the people, by the people, for the people”—to emphasize the importance of protecting the NHS as a
public service that belongs to the British people.
The episode delves into the heated protests that erupted during Trump's visit, with many UK citizens making their opposition clear. Terry reflects on what makes a state visit controversial and how hosting a "bad guest," especially one as divisive as Trump, can strain international relations and spark public outrage. He explores how leaders like Trump can shift the narrative and cause diplomatic discomfort, especially when their words and actions seem to threaten beloved national institutions like the NHS.
Terry then shifts the focus to the media's role in amplifying or distorting these events. He explores the rise of the term “fake news,” which Trump frequently used to discredit media outlets that criticized him. Terry specifically looks at FOX News, which has been accused of presenting biased or misleading information. He asks whether FOX News is truly a source of "fake news" or if it represents a larger trend toward hyper-partisan media in the US, where outlets cater to specific political ideologies rather than providing balanced reporting.
In exploring the broader implications of media polarization, Terry discusses how the UK and US media landscapes differ. While UK outlets often lean towards a spectrum of viewpoints, he argues that American media has increasingly divided into echo chambers, where citizens only consume information that reinforces their pre-existing beliefs. This, Terry suggests, has contributed to the distrust of mainstream news organizations, with Trump and other politicians exploiting this distrust to push their own narratives.
The episode closes with a reflection on how to deal with “bad guests” like Trump, both in the context of diplomacy and media. Terry notes that while it’s important to maintain respectful international relations, it’s equally vital for the public and media to hold leaders accountable for their words and actions. He calls for greater media literacy, encouraging listeners to critically assess the sources of their information and to challenge misinformation wherever it arises, whether from politicians or news outlets.
Ultimately, Bad Guests: What Can You Do with Them? is a thought-provoking exploration of how controversial figures like Trump can stir emotions, affect public institutions like the NHS, and reshape media narratives. Through this episode, Terry invites listeners to consider the role of both politics and media in shaping the truth.
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