There has been a war on the freedom of the press in America since Donald Trump was elected president.
He infamously called the press the "enemy of the state" during his inaugural speech. He did nothing to punish the Saudi Crown Prince after he directed the murder and dismemberment of Washington Post journalist Jamal Kashoggi.
Back in September, New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger revealed that the paper had to turn to the Irish government for help after one of its reporters, Declan Walsh, was threatened with arrest in Egypt.
The paper turned to Ireland for assistance out of fear the Trump administration wouldn't help a paper that had been critical of him.
This prompted Sulzberger to criticize President Donald Trump for seeding a "worldwide assault on journalists and journalism."
Shep Smith is the keynote speaker at the #CPJ dinner tonight. I'm not sure this table is paying particularly close attention to his speech pic.twitter.com/GRY2DH6Kbx
— stuart emmrich (@StuartEmmrich) November 22, 2019
In his first public statements after leaving Fox News, former anchor Shep Smith spoke out against the current state of the free press across the globe at a Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) fundraiser.
He backed up his words with a $500,000 donation to the CPJ, a nonprofit group that advances press freedoms around the world.
RELATED: Fox News' Shep Smith Calls Out Trump For Amazon Lie
In his speech he gave a not-do-subtle jab at the Trump Administration's efforts to curb press freedoms.
"Intimidation and vilification of the press is now a global phenomenon. We don't have to look far for evidence of that," Smith said at the group's annual dinner.
He also referenced the presidents use of the term "fake news" during his speech.
"Our belief a decade ago that the online revolution would liberate us now seems a bit premature, doesn't it?" Smith said.
"Autocrats have learned how to use those same online tools to shore up their power. They flood the world of information with garbage and lies, masquerading as news. There's a phrase for that," he continued.
“Intimidation and vilification of the press is now a global phenomenon. We don't have to look far for evidence of that," Smith said at an event in New York.
Read more: https://t.co/tdwZi9mvhm pic.twitter.com/Qet5QKhWo6
— Global Analytica (@AnalyticaGlobal) November 22, 2019
Smith was one of the few thorns in the president's side at Fox News. Towards the end of his tenure he would routinely call out the president for his outright lies. Smith's candor stood in sharp contrast to Fox's prime time commentary which bends over backwards to support the president.
RELATED: Fox News' Shep Smith Has Finally Had It With Kellyanne Conway
Carl Cameron, a former Fox News reporter who was with the channel for more than 20 years, believes that Smith's departure means the station is now mostly propaganda.
"Most of the rest is predominantly talk. It's predominantly supportive of a president who is violating all kinds of American values, laws, rules, precedents," Cameron told CNN, "and the American people need to hear that so they can make good judgments."
"Otherwise, it's just propaganda, and that's the stuff of third-world nations, not the one that prides itself as a leader of all nations" Cameron continued.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.