There are only three weeks before the 2024 election arguably the most important presidential election in our lifetime.

Several key policy concerns have taken center stage: the economy and inflation, health care, climate change, social justice and equality, immigration, foreign policy, gun control and the Second Amendment, to name just a few.

While we may disagree on the solutions to some of these crucial challenges, one of the most important underlying questions that has had little coverage or debate is how a Donald Trump re-election could threaten the health and future of our nation’s 4th estate and the “Freedom of the Press.”

In most democratic societies, a free press stands as a cornerstone of transparency, accountability, and an informed citizenry. It acts as both a watchdog and platform for public discourse, ensuring that power is held in check and the public remains informed.

It is crucial to recognize the role of the judiciary and legislative branches in safeguarding press freedoms. However, with a judiciary increasingly shaped by Trump appointments and a polarized Congress, the checks and balances enumerated in our Constitution may be insufficient to counteract extreme executive overreach. Who will provide the needed guardrails? Will gaslighting rhetoric be the new normal?

The tension between presidents and the press is not new. Throughout history, presidents have had varied relationships with the media, from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s fireside chats to Richard Nixon’s adversarial behavior, particularly during the Watergate scandal.

Trump’s presidency echoed Nixon’s, where distrust of the media was substantial. His presidency was often marked by a contentious relationship with the press. His frequent attacks on major news outlets as spreading “fake news” and branding journalists as “enemies of the people” set a combative tone.

In his first term in office Trump’s approach to press access was notably restrictive. Revoking press credentials and limiting reporters’ access to the White House were tactics used to control the narrative. Should these strategies resurface, they could further isolate the media from key governmental proceedings, impairing the ability to inform the public. These actions could further strain the relationship between the presidency and the press, creating an environment of mistrust and antagonism.

Journalists may find themselves in a constant battle to uphold factual reporting against a backdrop of widespread skepticism. The challenge lies not only in reporting the truth but also in convincing the public of its validity in the face of competing narratives. This task becomes even more daunting when those in power actively undermine the credibility of our news sources.

A Trump presidency could pose legal and regulatory challenges for the Fourth Estate. During his first term in office, Trump proposed loosening libel laws to make it easier to sue news organizations, publishers and others. Although these efforts did not materialize into concrete policy changes, a renewed push could have chilling effects on press freedoms. The threat of costly legal battles might deter news outlets from pursuing investigative stories, particularly those critical of the administration.

His re-election could embolden his administration to take more hostile actions against journalists. Publishers and journalists should be aware of potential severe retaliation. For a free press to thrive, public engagement and media literacy are crucial. An informed citizenry is the bedrock of democracy, capable of discerning fact from “alternative facts” and holding leaders accountable. Our country’s media outlets, educators and civic organizations must collaborate to promote media literacy, equipping individuals with the skills to critically evaluate news sources and content.

Trump’s extreme rhetoric against defaming news organizations was not just offhand remarks but a constant theme throughout his presidency and now his re-election campaign. His language is often dangerous in any political climate, but particularly so when it emanates from the highest office in the land. It fostered a culture of mistrust and hostility toward reporters undermining their crucial role in a democratic society.

Ultimately, the strength of a free press hinges not only on its resilience but on the support of the public it serves. As we navigate the uncertainties of a potential Trump presidency, it is incumbent upon all of us — journalists, citizens, and policymakers alike to uphold the values of a free and independent press, ensuring that it remains a vibrant and essential component of our American democracy.

As citizens, our role should be to support journalistic independence, advocate for press freedoms, and remain informed. Only through holding leaders to truth can we ensure a free press will continue to flourish, regardless of who wins the November election. Democracy thrives when the press is free to question, inform, and hold power to account. The future of our Constitution’s First Amendment protections of a free press, and our democracy itself, may well hinge on the outcome of the next presidential election.

Journalists or publishers must continue to shine a light on our democracy — for as The Washington Post’s slogan says, “democracy dies in darkness.”

Jim Martin can be reached at jimmmartinesq@gmail.com.