A free and independent press is important.  Why is that?  It's because the framers understood that in order for a democratic society to function that the population would have to be informed.  They thought it so important that they codified it in the first amendment to ensure that the press would have a wide birth.  In the case of Trump and the headline "Donald Trump says Barrack Obama INVOLVED in Orlando shooting" that's not a free an independent press asking hard questions.  That's not even an editorial board expressing an opinion that the candidate may not like.  That's an institution spreading intentional DISINFORMATION to advance a specific political bias.  When you have an institution that demonstrates it is willing to misinform the public for a political aim then that no longer fulfills the basic and fundamental responsibility to inform the public.  Also the Washington Post is still free to cover Trump as they see fit, they just don't enjoy the same privileges and access as news agencies that have been more responsible in their reporting. 

 

Moreover, Donald Trump has been the most ubiquitous presidential candidate in the television Era.  Not only does he make himself available ALL THE TIME he makes him self available to everyone.  He goes on regularly with MSNBC, CNN, etc. and other news agencies that haven't historically given favorable treatment to GOP candidates.  He also routinely makes himself available to the general press in live events and press conferences so that at any time the press can know what he thinks about this issue or that and inform their readers accordingly.  That's a far cry from his counterpart who hasn't done a live press conference this year and still doesn't feel comfortable exposing herself to media outlets that aren't historically friendly confines to the democrat party. 

 

So as you can see, the idea that Trump is hiding from something or trying to deny the public access to his opinions and positions falls apart when you consider the facts.

---