Latest news with #publicdiscourse
Fox News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
The solution to our political divide is within each of us
Every day, the news brings fresh reminders of just how divided we are. Violent protests. Political attacks. Horrific headlines, like the murders and attempted murders of lawmakers in Minnesota. Each incident is immediately seized upon as proof of how far gone the other side is — evidence of either creeping authoritarianism or runaway anarchy. But the greater danger may not be in what's happening — as horrific as it is — but in how we're choosing to see it. We no longer interpret events through a shared lens of concern or accountability. Instead, we reflexively use them to confirm the worst beliefs we hold about one another. Are the protests in Los Angeles a sign of civic unrest or extremist violence? Is President Donald Trump offering law-and-order assistance in California — or is he flexing authoritarian muscle? The answers depend on your politics. But more importantly, they depend on your assumptions. And right now, we're assuming the worst. Of each other. Of everything. In my work as a communications strategist and persuasion expert, I spend much of my time helping leaders connect across deep divides. One of the core principles I teach is something I call active empathy — the practice of not just hearing someone's beliefs, but truly trying to understand why they hold them. What are they afraid of? What are they protecting? What do they value? It's something I believe we desperately need more of in our public discourse. Right now, we're not practicing empathy. We're practicing judgment — and it's exhausting us. We're walking on eggshells with friends and family. We're fearful of speaking up. We're watching relationships deteriorate over headlines and hashtags. And we're losing the ability to see those we disagree with as anything other than threats. Author Brené Brown offers a provocative idea: "All I know is that my life is better when I assume that people are doing their best. It keeps me out of judgment and lets me focus on what is, and not what should or could be." Imagine what would happen if we applied that idea — not just in our personal lives, but to our politics. What if we assumed most Trump voters aren't fascists or racists — but people who want safety, prosperity and opportunity? What if we assumed most protesters aren't rioters — but citizens fighting to be seen and heard? What if we assumed that disagreement doesn't mean malice — and that we could hold different truths without dehumanizing one another? I'm not suggesting we stop holding people accountable. Or that we should abandon our convictions. I'm asking for something more challenging: to extend a little grace. To resist the instinct to flatten others into caricatures. To listen before we judge. To my friends on the left: not everything Republicans say is an attack on democracy. Many of them are trying to protect what they see as core American values — freedom, family, faith. That doesn't make them dangerous. It makes them human. To my friends on the right: not every protest is unlawful. Not every concern about racism or inequality is exaggerated. Many of the people raising those issues have lived through systemic injustices you might not have seen — but they're real. None of us is helped when we see the other side as irredeemable. In fact, that's what makes the divide wider. What if we stopped looking for enemies and started looking for common ground? We are living in a time when fear is louder than trust, and cynicism is more popular than hope. But I believe we can change that — if we start by changing our posture. Ask yourself: Why do they feel the way they feel? Why do they believe what they believe? Not to agree — but to understand. You may not change your mind. You may not want to. But you might stop being so afraid of one another. You might stop feeling so judged. You might even stop losing friendships over political differences. We are in danger of forgetting that people are not the worst thing they've ever said or believed. That identity is not destiny. That disagreement does not mean destruction. If we want to live in a less angry, less divided, less fearful country, we have to start assuming the best in each other again — or at the very least, stop assuming the worst. Because when we do, we can finally stop yelling. Start listening. And maybe, just maybe, begin to heal.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Terry Moran Reveals What's So 'True' About His Trump Takedown That Sparked ABC News Exit
Terry Moran is defending his 'world-class haters' post about Donald Trump and senior White House aide Stephen Miller that led to his exit from ABC News, noting that it 'accurately' described the president and the MAGA movement. Moran — in an interview Monday with The Bulwark's Tim Miller, an ex Republican National Committee spokesperson — declared that the post was no 'drunk tweet,' adding that he had a 'normal' night with his family before sharing the post that he immediately evaluated as 'true' after writing it. 'It was something that was in my heart and mind,' said Moran — who has since launched a Substack since his ABC News ouster — of the post. 'I would say I used very strong language deliberately. ... You see [Stephen Miller] all the time doing the same — spitting venom and lies into our debate, degrading our public discourse, debasing it and using the power of the White House and what he's been given to grind us down in that bile. That's very disturbing to me.' Moran told The Bulwark that he had been thinking about the state of the country 'on-and-off' during the day before making the post, which sparked outrage among top White House officials, including Vice President JD Vance. In a since-deleted post to social media, Moran pinpointed that Miller's 'hatreds are his spiritual nourishment,' adding that he 'eats his hate' before turning his attention to the president. 'Trump is a world-class hater. But his hatred only a means to an end, and that end his his own glorification. That's his spiritual nourishment,' the longtime ABC News reporter continued. ABC News subsequently suspended Moran, calling the post a 'clear violation' of the network's policies, before announcing that his contract — which it claimed had reached the end — would not be renewed based on the post. Moran told The New York Times that ABC News' framing was 'incorrect,' arguing that the network was instead 'bailing' on an 'oral agreement' to bring him back for another three years. HuffPost has reached out to ABC News for comment. Moran told The Bulwark that he's a member of the 'most despised political tribe in America': a 'proud centrist.' He went on to describe his politics as leaning toward a 'Hubert Humphrey Democrat,' someone who wants to see 'practical things' get done and for politicians to 'stand up for what's right.' 'So someone like Stephen Miller, in my judgment — and in my observation, which is what reporters do — is degrading all of that and is a danger and that's what was in my heart,' he said. Jon Stewart Slams ABC News For Ousting Terry Moran: 'They're A F**king Joke' Terry Moran Reveals What's Next After Trump Slam Led To Exit From ABC News Terry Moran Won't Return To ABC News After 'Hater' Post
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
SGCA 2025 set to attract global participation across its 23 award categories celebrating excellence and impact in communication
Alya Al Suwaidi: A new generation of communication professionals is emerging, shaping the future of public discourse with innovative ideas Alya Al Suwaidi: The award serves as a global platform to recognise impactful storytelling and communication that drives positive change Sharjah: The Sharjah Government Communication Award (SGCA) is continuing to accept nominations for its 12th edition, with submissions open across 23 categories until July 24. Building on its growing international prominence, the award is further expanding its global reach, attracting a strong turnout in last year's edition with 3,815 entries from 44 countries. Now in its 12th edition, the award features 23 categories across five main sectors: Government Entities & International Organisations, Individual Awards, Partner Awards, Jury Awards, and Best Innovators Competition in Smart Communication. These categories reflect the evolving landscape of public communication, emphasising innovation, inclusivity, and the strategic use of digital platforms. The award was launched as a key outcome of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF), whose 14th annual edition is scheduled for September 10–11, 2025, at Expo Centre Sharjah. This extension provides an invaluable opportunity for communicators worldwide to showcase their impactful initiatives. Her Excellency Alya Al Suwaidi, Director of Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) emphasised the award's growing influence, stating: ' The Sharjah Government Communication Award has evolved into a lighthouse for communication professionals and entities committed to excellence. With the exceptional level of participation, particularly in the past few years, the award has turned the spotlight on a new generation of communicators whose ideas are shaping the future of public opinion and discourse. SGCA continues to serve as a global platform for recognising impactful narratives, innovative solutions, and communication that drives positive change across nations around the world.' This extension aligns with global trends in government communication, where innovation and citisen engagement are paramount. According to the OECD's 2024 report, governments worldwide are embracing human-centered public services; co-designing solutions with users to enhance efficiency and inclusivity. These efforts are reshaping public services to be more responsive and resilient, reflecting a commitment to meeting citisens' evolving needs. How to Apply The award welcomes submissions from individuals and organisations across three different categories. All entries must have been created within the past two years, or include significant updates if older. Nominations can be submitted through the SGCA website at with the deadline set for July 24. Key categories and prestigious partnerships of SGCA Under the award's five main sectors, the direct application categories feature 15 awards that recognise excellence across a broad range of communication practices. These include awards for Best Integrated Communication System, Best Innovation in Government Communication, Best Crisis Communication Strategy, Best Campaign Promoting Cultural Identity and the Arabic Language, and Best Youth Initiative in Government Communication. Other notable categories celebrate achievements in social responsibility, soft power investment, communication targeting youth (across government and private sectors), innovative projects for children and adolescents, digital content changemakers (above and under 18 years old), and academic research in communication sciences. The Partner Awards highlight exceptional communication practices in collaboration with organisations like Mohammed bin Zayed University of AI, the CSO Network, ASEAN, the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and the Government Experience Exchange Office at the UAE Ministry of Cabinet Affairs. Key categories include Best Artificial Intelligence Technology Communication in Service of the Community Category and Best Communication Practices Dealing with Development Advances Category. Additionally, the Jury Awards honour outstanding individuals and projects, such as the Outstanding Communication Award for a Higher Quality of life and the Best Individual Positive Social Impact, with a special focus on Sharjah-based government initiatives. Finally, the Best Innovators Competition in Smart Communication award plays a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of communicators, featuring two highly contested categories: the Artificial Intelligence Skills Camp (AISC) and the Universities Challenge.
Mail & Guardian
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Trump and Malema are more similar than they would like to admit
EFF leader Julius Malema. Photo: X The What Trump probably intended as a damning exposé of societal ills in South Africa inadvertently illuminated the bemusing congruence between himself and the very figure he sought to condemn. Despite occupying vastly different ideological poles, Trump and Malema are, in essence, two sides of the same political coin: larger-than-life figures who wield hyperbole and spectacle to bend public discourse to their will. Trump built his brand on disrupting norms, lambasting elites, and speaking in a vernacular that resonated with a segment of the American populace feeling unheard. His rallies are choreographed performances, his pronouncements often designed more for shock value and media capture than for precise policy articulation. Malema, too, is a showman par excellence. From his early days as a firebrand youth leader in the ANC to his role as the self-styled 'commander-in-chief' of the EFF, Malema has consistently pushed boundaries, employing confrontational rhetoric that electrifies his base and forces opponents to react. He thrives on controversy, using provocative statements and symbolic gestures, such as the controversial 'Kill the Boer' chant, to rally support for his vision of radical economic transformation and social justice. Malema is ' The core of their shared political artistry lies in their strategic deployment of hyperbole. For Trump, every challenge is a 'witch hunt,' every unfavorable media report 'fake news' and every policy critique an existential threat to the nation. This exaggerated language simplifies complex realities into digestible narratives of victimhood and heroism, positioning himself as the sole defender against perceived adversaries. Similarly, Malema employs stark, often revolutionary, language to frame South Africa's systemic inequalities as a direct continuation of colonial and apartheid injustices, demanding radical solutions like land expropriation without compensation. While What makes Trump's recent White House stunt so profoundly ironic is that in attempting to expose Malema, he merely exposed his own methods. The 'ambush' of Ramaphosa with a video clip was a calculated act designed to dominate the narrative and assert a particular, unsubstantiated, viewpoint. This is the very essence of both Trump and Malema's political styles: the transformation of political discourse into a dramatic spectacle, where facts are often secondary to emotional impact and media virality. They are both adept at wielding 'alternative facts' and 'dog whistles', using carefully constructed ambiguity to appeal to their base while maintaining a degree of plausible deniability. This mutual reliance on political theatre, despite their opposing ideological agendas, is a critical lens through which to understand contemporary populist movements worldwide. Whether it is the right-wing nationalism espoused by Trump or the radical left-wing populism championed by Malema, the playbook often involves bypassing traditional political discourse, appealing directly to raw emotion, and manufacturing continuous engagement through engineered controversy. They both thrive on being perceived as 'outsiders' challenging a corrupt system, even when they occupy positions of significant power or influence. The political world watched Ramaphosa's composed response to Trump's calculated ambush. Yet, the wider public must scrutinise not only the content of such stunts but also the shared theatrical impulses that drive them. When one larger-than-life, stick-it-to-the-man figure attempts to discredit another by highlighting their provocative rhetoric, it is not merely a diplomatic incident; it is a curtain-drawing moment. It reveals the shared DNA of political personalities who understand that in the age of constant information flow, it is often the most audacious, the most hyperbolic, and the most dramatic performance that captures the public imagination, for better or for worse. The true 'genocide' we face might not be of a specific race, but of nuanced debate and factual integrity, orchestrated by those who understand the formidable power of the political stage. Lindani Zungu is a Mandela Rhodes scholar pursuing a master's in political studies and is the editor-in-chief of the youth-oriented publication, Voices of Mzansi.
News.com.au
06-06-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Jake Paul weighs in as Donald Trump, Elon Musk feud escalates
The YouTuber turned pro boxer has opined that the spat between the two men, who have gone from best buddies to public enemies, is not just a bad look for the party, but for America itself. Paul shared his thoughts on the explosive spat between the President and the founder of Tesla and SpaceX on X, posting that while the two are great, they "need to work together and not make America look bad". "We unfortunately have these Alpha male egos and leaders who aren't mature enough sometimes. They're 50+ years old and diss-tweeting each other."
