Media Debate Reignited After Trump Speech Boycott

Professor Gabi Weimann, a senior researcher at the Institute for Counter-Terrorism and a professor of communication and media at Reichman University, stated that traditional media outlets still maintain their role and influence despite the widespread use of social media. Weimann explained in a phone interview on Radio Al-Shams that speeches by heads of state at the United Nations exemplify the continued reliance of global audiences on traditional media for major political events.

Weimann's remarks followed a boycott of Donald Trump's speech coverage by several major American networks. This action was taken after media outlets including CNN, Politico, and MSNBC were barred from covering the speech. He emphasized that traditional media has not lost its role, noting that the vast majority of people worldwide watch UN speeches by presidents through traditional media channels, not social media platforms.