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Fake news – it’s something that’s become familiar to everyone not living under a rock.
The political climate is tense these days and there seems to be a war raging between politicians and the press. More and more people question the word of the media, their political representatives, and even the POTUS. Nearly anything printed or published online is touted by people on either side of the political aisle as propaganda from their political rivals.
Who are citizens of the United States to believe? How does this war on the media influence the First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press?
Such topics – and much, much more – are addressed in Mark Levin’s Unfreedom of the Press.
Mark Levin – From Never-Trumper to Trump Embracer
Mark Levin wasn’t always a Trump supporter. Back in 2016, he was part of the #NeverTrump movement, despite being a conservative Republican. At the time, he backed Texas Senator Ted Cruz and said he wouldn’t back Trump in the general election.
Times have changed, though. Now, the lawyer-turned-radio-host is an avid supporter of POTUS Trump, especially when it comes to the media.
He quickly changed is mind in 2016, going from being a never-Trumper to a Trump supporter, saying that he would indeed vote for the Republican nominee.
Since then, Levin has warmed up to Trump, even saying that he’s a more conservative president than George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush.
In the wake of all the fake news drama that’s dominating both the mainstream media and social media, Levin has published a book on the topic. Unfreedom of the Press was released in May 2019 and has received negative and positive feedback.
Unfreedom of the Press: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Propaganda and so-called fake news have been around for centuries. In fact, it was misinformation that led to the death of Mark Anthony.
These days, though, nearly every news story posted – especially if it relates to anything remotely political – is labeled as fake news by someone.
According to Levin, something needs to be done because journalists are destroying freedom of the press from the inside out. How are they doing this? Levin points to:
- Propaganda
- Pseudo-events
- Omission
- Bias, whether personal or political
- Censorship
- Embracing group thinking, as opposed to individual thinking that questions what’s popular.
In Unfreedom of the Press, Levin says reporters and news agencies are blatantly partisan, thereby revealing their unprecedented hypocrisy.
What do readers, the media, and politicians have to say about Levin’s new bestseller?
The Good
Quite a few people have really enjoyed this book, as is evidenced by the fact that it has received a rating of 4.26/5.00 stars on Goodreads.
Those who have read Levin’s book say it’s full of factual information that is both interesting and informative.
He explains how freedom of the press has been damaged by political entities throughout U.S. history but how the media is accomplishing it at unparalleled levels from within.
Readers who enjoyed the book have said it’s not a politically biased interpretation of what’s happening in the media today. Instead, Levin has taken the time to lay out all the facts and does so in a way that doesn’t push the reader to one conclusion or another. The reader is free to form their own conclusions from the information presented.
Unfreedom of the Press hasn’t just received praise from average, everyday readers either. President Trump tweeted his support of the book the day it was released.
The Bad
Some readers haven’t been as full of praise, though. Negative reviews have come from average readers, as well as various media sources.
Lloyd Green, a writer for The Guardian, says the book is a non-stop attack on mainstream media sources and journalism. He also wrote that Unfreedom of the Press is an indictment against progressive politics.
Kevin Lerner, journalism professor, author, and contributing writer for the Washington Post claims that Levin only gets his assessment of the media half-right.
In his critique of the book, Lerner provides his own history lesson, pointing to the media’s goal of objectivity, as well as personal points of view muddying the waters, as the real issues. He points out that the issue lies with journalists who have allowed their bias to dictate their work, as well as politicians on either side of the aisle who attack the media for not agreeing with their point of view.
Additionally, reviewers on Goodreads have labeled Levin’s book as biased and that he believes the only credible news source in 2019 is Fox News.
The Ugly
The most negative critique of Unfreedom of the Press has come from Annalisa Quinn in an NPR review article. Her review garnered a response from Levine, who said it was only a matter of time before his book was under attack.
Quinn said Unfreedom of the Press is full of filler and bile and borders on parody at times. She claims that Levin misunderstands those that he quotes, oftentimes ignoring or not understanding the nuance, humor, or sarcasm of the people quoted.
Quinn also claims that the purpose of this book – besides a political agenda – is to deliver a great, big “screw you” to the New York Times. Levin constantly criticizes this media outlet and to have a book criticizing the New York Times make the New York Times bestseller list is, in his eyes, the ultimate “screw you.”
Curious About Levin’s Take on the Press? Test It out with Audio Bookstore
Obviously, Levin’s book isn’t going to be for everyone, particularly those who are wary of authors who lean to one side of the political aisle instead of staying neutral.
However, some readers are probably intrigued by the fact that Mark Levin wasn’t always a Trump supporter. To those readers, Unfreedom of the Press might seem like a good take on what’s really going on in the media today.
Whatever the case may be, this book is sure to open some eyes and evoke an emotional response. Check out Unfreedom of the Press on Audiobook Store today to see what all the hype is about.
Do you love to read books about politics, politicians, and the political climate of different generations? Then you need to check out our selection of political science audiobooks. Enjoy!
