On Tuesday, former ABC News correspondent Terry Moran expressed his concerns that the United States may soon lose its free press if President Donald Trump can’t put an end to current issues. Moran, who was dismissed after nearly 28 years at the network due to a controversial social media post criticizing Trump and aide Stephen Miller, shared his thoughts in a discussion with former MSNBC host Chris Matthews.
Matthews voiced his worries about a recent CBS/Paramount settlement, mentioning how Trump and various media outlets are increasingly reshaping the landscape of journalism. He asked, “Are they willing to continue as they have been, or are they just trying to maintain some semblance of what they used to be?”
Moran made a bold assertion, stating that the US might lose its independent news, arguing that media organizations are losing power under the current administration. He predicted that it’s possible these firms could eventually eliminate their news departments altogether. “This is the playbook seen in authoritarian regimes,” he stated.
He drew parallels with leaders like Viktor Orban and Vladimir Putin, who have systematically dismantled independent media in their countries. “Unless something changes, I believe they’ll find ways to strip media ownership from existing companies,” he said.
Additionally, Moran highlighted the role of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in investigating ABC News regarding supposed biases against Trump. He emphasized that while anchor David Muir hasn’t done anything wrong, these networks are under pressure to operate in a manner defined by the administration. There’s a danger that officials will find reasons to question media ownership unless there’s intervention.
After leaving ABC, Moran commented on the nature of journalism, arguing that being “objective” shouldn’t define a reporter’s role. He clarified that journalists shouldn’t have to sacrifice their citizenship to maintain objectivity. “We all have our perspectives, and that’s a part of being accurate and fair,” he concluded.
