WEB EXCLUSIVE A video parody of President Trump violently massacring major media outlets and his political opponents was screened at a conference in Miami held by a pro-Trump organization, according to multiple media sources, including The New York Times.

The video, part of which was originally posted to YouTube in July 2018, depicts Trump stabbing deceased U.S. Senator John McCain in the neck and throwing down former President Barack Obama. The video also depicts the fake Trump murdering news organizations CNN, NBC, PBS and BCC in “The Church of Fake News.”

The faces and logos of the aforementioned victims are superimposed onto bodies and overlayed over a scene from the movie “Kingsman: The Secret Service.”

The video has been grossly mislabelled in the news as a parody. A parody is an imitation with deliberate exaggeration for comic relief, according to Merriam-Webster. This video is neither funny or comical. 

No matter which political party one supports, it is never acceptable to incite violence onto any public figure, activist movement, or news organization. 

“We have previously told the President that his rhetoric could incite violence,” Jonathan Karl, President of the White House Correspondents Association, said in a statement. “Now we call on him and everybody associated with this conference to denounce this video and affirm that violence has no place in our society.”

If nothing in the past year of politics has been made clear, it is this: What is said and done online matters. Actions of some politicians that have come to light in the past year have revealed their compromising personal qualities and ruined their political reputations. The actions of American citizens are no different, especially during an election year. 

The way individuals act during an election and the way they treat opposing political groups dictates how politicians will represent us. The American people should always strive for respect and dignity, no matter which side they are on.  

Journalists have a responsibility to be the voice for the public as the Fourth Estate. Inciting violence against journalists is appalling and dangerous for society.

Americans have the fundamental right for freedom of speech and freedom of the press in the First Amendment. To even joke about violating the rights of American journalists who are fulfilling their constitutional role is horrifying. 

It is the responsibility of our politicians to protect the rights of journalists. Although the Trump Administration did not sanction this video, and in a statement from his press secretary he “strongly condemns” it, Trump has not personally made a statement condemning the video to the press or on Twitter. 

What people in power say has an impact. The way politicians conduct themselves in front of their supporters sends a message to their followers. 

The Broadview completely condemns the video. Now, more than ever, we need to fight for freedom of the press. The future of our democracy depends on it.