A Montana court will soon consider the charge of misdemeanour assault against Republican congressional candidate Greg Gianforte for allegedly “body-slamming” the Guardian’s reporter Ben Jacobs. By then, voters will have delivered their verdict on him in today’s election (many had cast ballots before Wednesday’s events). Three state newspapers withdrew endorsements almost instantly. Others can judge for themselves from the audio recording of events and an independent eyewitness account.
The incident comes amid the demonising of journalism by the US right, which Donald Trump has escalated dramatically. The constitution enshrines freedom of the press; the president has declared reputable media organisations “the enemy of the American people”. Earlier this month a reporter was arrested for trying to ask the health secretary a question. Ask yourself why those who purport to serve the people, or say they want to, do not simply reply or walk away. No one should be assaulted. But when it happens to someone asking important and unwelcome questions, it is not only an attack on an individual, and on the media, but on the public’s right to know.
