What Trump's "Fake News" Rhetoric Means For Someone Trying to Work in News

For many, the beginning of a career is scary but exciting. It's a time where everything you learned in college is really put to the test. But what about when the President of the United States is demonizing the very industry in which you want to build a career?

The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 17, 2017

Any intro-level journalism course will tell you that responsibility of determining the quality of the news falls on both the citizens and the news industry. It is up to the media to provide the most objective and fact-based news possible, and it is up to the people to check facts and stay informed through various news sources.

As CNN host Don Lemon put it, "Fake news is when you put out a story to intentionally deceive someone and you know that it is wrong." This appeared in a recent segment where a commentator tried to claim they were producing "fake news." This kind of rhetoric surrounding the media is problematic because it is reductive and it is reinforcing a false belief that some people hold that all mainstream media is trying to deceive them.

There is nothing wrong with the American people questioning what they are reading. Everyone should maintain a certain level of skepticism, but this industry is not inherently untrustworthy.

As someone trying to break into this industry, I find it concerning that President Trump wants to foster a greater distrust in the news.

Don't believe the main stream (fake news) media.The White House is running VERY WELL. I inherited a MESS and am in the process of fixing it.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 18, 2017

Regardless of your political beliefs, citizens have a right to information that is not curated by the government. It is time to take back the narrative and restore trust in the media.

Any credible news source makes an implicit commitment to the American people to provide them with the most accurate information possible. As a member of the media, I know we are supposed to keep an objective, unbiased viewpoint. However, with the integrity of this entire institution being shaken by the leader of the free world, how can we not take a stance right now?

While the president tries to invoke fear of the media in citizens, it is our duty to provide the people of the United States with the hard-hitting facts that our government cannot suppress. We the people will not be subdued. We the people will not be worn down. We the people will not be silenced.

WHO WANTS TO TAKE ME TO NICKELODEON RESORTS?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a pineapple under the sea? Now, you might be able to get a little taste of what it's like. 

Karisma Hotels presents the Pineapple Villa in Punta Cana: 

Beyond these gorgeous Spongebob-inspired rooms, "private butlers take care of your family's every need." You read that right: private butlers, people. 

You can learn more and book your stay here. The villa can accommodate 4 adults and 2 children or 2 adults and 4 children (sounds perfect, right Dad? Mom? Wealthy family in search of a new 21-year-old daughter?) with 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. 

If you need me, I'll be out by the infinity pool. 

P.S. Dad, if you're reading this, is it ever too late to help your 21-year-old daughter live out her childhood dreams? I don't think so...

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED FROM "HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER"

So far my winter vacation has consisted of a series of naps in between watching How I Met Your Mother and spending time with people back home. I spent a few days watching my little sister before she went back to kindergarten. I saw a few movies. And I took pictures with some of my best friends (like the one above). 

Now, after 5 and half seasons of HIMYM, I'm starting to feel ready to go back to school. I have finally had the time to workout, and boy is my body feeling it. My legs ache, my back is sore, and I have 11 weeks left of a workout program I agreed to do with my roommate. (We'll see how long that lasts.)

The thing is as soon as school starts, I'm going to regret wanting to go back. Everything gets busy so fast. I'm just running out of activities. I haven't felt much like writing these days. Lately I have held myself up to impossible standards of finding the perfect subject to pick up blogging again after my impromptu hiatus. But I am making myself come up with something, because you can only watch so much HIMYM before having an existential crisis about the state of your life. It's weird how much I can relate to that show when the main characters are in their thirties. 

On top of all that, every time I go on Facebook another person is headed off to study abroad. And it's a little bit difficult to watch, not only because some of them are my friends, but also because up until a few months ago I thought for sure I would be one of them. 

But I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and there is something else in store for me back here. For now, since I have watched so much How I Met Your Mother, here are a few lessons I have learned along the way: 

1. No matter how well a first date goes, saying "I love you" is NEVER appropriate. 

But somehow you can recover from it and keep this person in your life (if your name is Ted Mosby)? 

2. If someone is meant to be in your life, they will come into it (or come back into it) when they are supposed to. 

Letting go of someone you care about it always difficult. Ted and Robin have been all over the place, but there's no doubt that in some shape or form they are meant to be in each other's lives. 

3. Life goals can change. And maybe they should. 

Everyone in the group has gone through a series of life changes. Marshall dreamt of being an environmental lawyer, but the reality of living in New York and trying to raise a family with Lily meant settling for a corporate job to survive. 

4. Sometimes dating isn't about "finding the one", but more about figuring out what you want out of relationships with other people. 

Ted was determined to find the one. He was ready to start find the woman he was "supposed to be with", and start a family. But it took a lot longer than he expected. But all of the women along the way helped him grow and figure out what he really wanted out of a relationship. 

5. Growing up is hard. 

At twenty years old, it's really easy to think that by 30 I'll have it all figured out. But after 5 seasons of HIMYM, I've realized that growing up is an ongoing process, and no one actually has it all figured out.

6. The journey is just as important as the destination. 

Once Ted was complaining about how he wanted to find his wife and start his life now, but Robin reminded him that it was about the journey and not just having the life. He wanted to skip past all of the stuff in between and end up with his perfect family. But you have to keep in mind, that it doesn't end there. Your life doesn't start once you land your dream job or find your "soulmate." It's happening RIGHT NOW, and you have to be present in every part of the journey. 

7. Life doesn't follow your timeline.

This one goes hand in hand with the last point, but I thought it was worth making its own separate point. You can plan your life out as much as you want. You can set dates for when specific life events should happen. You can envision where you want to be in 5, 10, 15 years. But nothing ever happens according to plan, and nothing is wrong with you for not having the life you thought you would have by now. 

8. You are AWESOME. 

Barney Stinson may be one of the most overconfident, narcissistic playboys of all time. But he got one thing right: you are awesome, and you should believe that.   

A BAD CASE OF WANDERLUST

I love traveling. In an ideal world I would be able to spend a year just exploring. There are so many places I want to see and things that I want to do abroad. 

My freshman year the first project we had in my production class was making a TV poster with an idea of what your show would be about. I decided mine would be an ABC Family show about friends that went on a summer road trip before college that turned into so much more than they ever expected.

As someone who has a passion for television and telling stories, this was the perfect project for me. I won't go into specifics about the show--who knows, maybe one day I could be in a position to pitch this idea. It could happen!

Sometimes I wish it was more common to take a gap year between high school and college. One of my good friends visited Australia last winter break, and she said that a ton of people did that there. I think it would be such an amazing opportunity to learn more about the world. Perhaps, you might even learn something about yourself along the way. 

Now, the idea of traveling for an extended period of time in my life seems impossible, other than through study abroad, because right after college I'll have to find a job and start paying off student loans. But if you did it before college, you wouldn't have to worry about paying anything off. 

That list that I am holding in the top left corner is an actual list that I have been working on for years of all of the places that I want to visit in the world. I started it a couple of years ago with the hopes that one day I would find the time/resources to be able to visit these places. Since then, I have already been able to cross a couple of places off the list.

But it's not enough! Next spring I intend to study abroad in Europe, which may be just the cure I need for my wanderlust. I know it will never truly go away, but a girl needs to try to ease it, doesn't she?

Where do you want to travel?

Related: Why Spring Break in DC is Better than in PCB

14 THINGS TO THANK YOUR ROOMMATES FOR

One of the fun things about getting out of the dorms is that you have the opportunity to live with more of your friends. At first it seems like one big sleepover. Then, slowly you realize that having roommates is so much more than that. And there are so many things to thank your college roommates for.

Thank them for:

1. Listening to you vent.

2. Putting up with your weird habits.

3. Watching trashy reality shows with you.



4. Helping you decode/craft texts.

5. Staying up with you when you need some girl time.

6. Looking for your stuff when you are positive it is gone forever.


7. Telling you the truth whether or not something looks good.


8. Being genuinely excited for you when something good happens.



9. Ordering pizza with you, because sometimes you just need pizza.


10. Taking care of you when you've had a long night. 

11. Helping you move on from a relationship.

12. Understanding you when you have been at the library for 10 hours straight and can't think like a normal person.


13. Reminiscing on all the great times you have had together at any given time.


14. Not judging you when you make questionable decisions.

What would we do with out our roomies?

Why are you thankful for your roommates?

TOP 10 FAVORITE TV COUPLES

*Spoiler Alert* I apologize if you have one of these shows on your to-watch list, and you don't already know that these couples get together. But when you watch it actually happen, I promise it will still be magical, because these couples are meant to be. 

10. April and Andy // Parks and Rec

Admittedly, I was a little weirded out when April first had a crush on Andy. But as soon as I realized how perfect they actually are for each other, I was on board. 

9. Marshall and Lily // How I Met Your Mother

Forget Ted. Marshall and Lily are my favorite part about this show. They really get each other, and they are always supportive of each other, no matter what ridiculous idea Marshall has. 

8. Mindy and Danny  // The Mindy Project

Mindy had a few different boyfriends before Danny. Then they went through the whole "will they, won't they thing" for a while--which is always exciting, yet frustrating. Mindy's old boyfriends were okay, but I am team Danny and Mindy forever. 

7. Brooke and Julian // One Tree Hill

Brooke Davis is one of my favorite fictional characters of all time. Seeing her happiness with Julian was one of my favorite parts of this whole series. Every girl dreams that a man would love her as much as Julian loves Brooke. This is the stuff in fairytales. 

6. Ben and Leslie // Parks and Rec

Who wouldn't love a guy got eclairs in the shape of the first letter of their name? (Hint to future love-interests: I feel like a T wouldn't be that difficult to make happen). Plus, Ben resigns from his job just so that they can be together. That's commitment. 

5. Nick and Jess // New Girl

I swear they are meant to be together, and I don't understand why they would ever break up. These two are great friends and all, but I think they are much better in a relationship. 

4. Monica and Chandler // Friends

Ross and Rachel are overrated. The real couple in this show is Monica and Chandler. I mean look at them; they are perfect together. 

3. Jim and Pam // The Office

Just look at the way he looks at her. As I said in one of my recent posts, work relationships might not be the best idea, unless you are Jim and Pam. I fully support this relationship. 

2. Blair and Chuck // Gossip Girl

Admittedly, Chuck and Blair have a somewhat rocky past. But the couple you should be rooting for is never Dan and Serena. These two are a power couple. 

1. Nathan and Haley // One Tree Hill

It's crazy, because when the show starts this seems like the least-likely combination. It never even crossed my mind that they might become friends. Her best friend just happens to be his enemy (and half brother). Yet, these two ended up being my favorite TV couple of all time. 

These are only a few of the fictional relationships that I have loved watch develop. They have made me smile and laugh. And I can only hope that some day I have a relationship with this level of awesomeness. 

What are some of your favorite TV romances?

HOW TO SURVIVE FINALS AS TOLD BY MINDY KALING

That time of year is here again. Summer is so close, but it might feel like a lifetime away. Here are some tips for surviving finals week:

Step 1: Make sure to stay comfortable. The weather is warming up, and everyone is excited to bring out their spring wardrobe. Just remember to keep it comfy. And maybe wear some of your favorite outfits on test days. Dress well, test well. Right?

Step 2: Indulge in a little treat as a study break. Obviously you want to stay healthy during finals week, but a trip to Greenbush might be the extra motivation you were looking for.

Step 3: Take care of yourself. Don't be the person at the library that has been in the same spot for eight hours and hasn't showered in three days. Get some sleep, take breaks, and prioritize your health.

Step 4: Cut yourself off from the people that don't have finals this week. Soon you will have your freedom, too, and you can resume those friendships.

Step 5: Get to the library early. As the week goes on, seats will open up as more and more people start to finish. But if you don't get there early enough you will wander around praying to find a table. And don't even think about finding a spot near an outlet.

Step 6: Stay focused. As your friends start finishing up, it can be tempting to get distracted while they celebrate. Study breaks are necessary to maintain your sanity, but just remember not to go overboard.

Step 7: Know when to stop studying. There is such a thing as over studying, and at some point you have to call it quits. It might be tempting to study up until the moment they ask you to put everything away, but at certain point you just know what you know.

Step 8: Have some confidence in yourself. You put the time in and studied hard, and now it is time to show those finals what you are made of.

Good luck with finals! The end is near.

CONFESSIONS OF A COFFEE ADDICT AS TOLD BY GILMORE GIRLS

It's Monday morning, you hit the snooze a couple times, but now you have to get going. You start your normal routine, eat some breakfast, and you try to resist the coffee. But how could you? After surviving midterms, nearly sleepless nights writing papers, and classes that always seem too early, you need the coffee, don't you?

When you are an avid coffee drinker:

Nothing in the morning excites you, unless it involves the words mocha or creamer.

The sun hasn't come up until you have had your cup of joe.

And the thought of a world without coffee is not the kind of world you want to live in.

How do people expect you to accomplish superhuman productivity without it?

People don't understand why coffee is an essential part of your diet.

Or why you will do almost anything to get it.

I mean anything.

People are starting to think you have a problem.

But they don't know what they are talking about, right? 

You clearly don't have a problem. 

You just don't know how to function without it. 

So what if you need coffee to get up in the morning? 

You don't have a problem with it, and if you're lucky, you might one day find someone who understands.

True friendship is when you know your friend's coffee order, right?


*This post was also published to Her Campus.