Attacking “the liberal media” that supposedly oppressed and excluded conservatives has been a defining feature of conservatism since the 1960s. Trump is just the logical extension of this long-festering, illiberal anti-intellectualism that has served the GOP well. 
Here's a thread on Agnew's version of this attack in the late 60s.
Here's a thread on right wing billionaire, H.L. Hunt's deployment of this messaging in 1967.
And here's a thread on a right wing hack named Edith Effron who, thanks to funding from Bill Buckley's foundation, published a tendentious book called "The News Twisters" that helped push the "liberal media" narrative.
Nixon loved her book so much that he had Chuck Colson go out and buy up every copy he could find. For years after, Nixon staffers recall tripping over boxes crammed with copies of "The News Twisters."
theatlantic.com/politics/archi…
theatlantic.com/politics/archi…
The most important thing to know about these attacks on the liberal media is that they were ALWAYS INTENDED TO DEFLECT ATTENTION FROM THE CORRUPTION AND MALADMINISTRATION OF ELECTED OFFICIALS. That's it. That's virtually the only intended function of this narrative.
People who embrace the whole "I don't trust the liberal media" thing as if they're being a badass rebel are not doing that. They are being suckers who have fell for a con. That's it. That's what's happening in that moment. Not liberation from brainwashing, just getting played.
Because the corollary of "I don't trust the liberal media" always seems to be "But I credulously trust the conservative media, 100%." Authoritarian mission accomplished.
And also, lots of krugerrands and silver coins and gold bars and unregulated health supplements sold at highly marked up prices.
[Screenshots from Fox News yesterday.]
[Screenshots from Fox News yesterday.]
