The free press has recently come under fire in the United States, with one presidential candidate referring to journalists as the lowest form of life. This assertion, of course, came from GOP representative Donald Trump, who has a litany of demeaning remarks and a pattern of attacking just about anyone who disagrees with his style of politics.

Perhaps his accumulated fortune has given him a feeling of power that overrides what most would consider as values of decency and respect in attempting to seek the highest office in the land. When the press are referred to as the lowest form of life, it is an open assault on democracy, which keeps the free press alive. It is also amazing to see and hear Trump supporters scrambling and squirming to justify his outrageous remarks as a fresh and blunt political approach. That is alarming.

This is not to say his opponents are without any skeletons in their closet, since no one in any political arena is perfect. However, when a candidate crosses the line on a regular basis when it comes to displaying unacceptable behaviour with words, it is the job of the press to report what is actually said, and not what the person meant to say.

Last week was a truly testing time for the American press after Donald Trump, repeatedly stated that President Barack Obama was the “founder of the terrorist group Isis”. After waves of criticism erupted throughout much of the nation, including Democrats and Republicans, Trump accused the press of overlooking that his remarks were meant as sarcasm. Of course, that did not go down well with the press and, indeed, with many Americans, who are disgusted with the low level of political games during one of the most crucial elections in the nation’s history.

Political game-playing is something that occurs in just about every democratic jurisdiction, and the people are fully aware that trying to sift through what is said, and how it relates to facts, is a never-ending task for even those who spend their lives studying political science. There is grave danger to true freedom when the media are attacked for doing their job in a professional way by those who resent being questioned on any matter that is of concern to the public.

Hillary Clinton, who at the moment seems to hold a substantial lead over Trump in the presidential race, is also facing considerable pressure over e-mail issues — and the free press will shine their light on those issues, which is their responsibility. Whether the outcome will result in any change in public sentiment remains to be seen.

Some voters feel that unless those issues result in court action for wrongdoing, she has displayed the qualities expected from someone aspiring to be President of the United States.

That there are rumblings throughout America, and in many parts of the world, that Trump could be dangerous is not something the press have drummed up. Trump’s campaign advisers seem powerless in trying to get him to refrain from making statements that in many cases are not supported by facts. The free press have the job of keeping the people not only informed about who is saying what on any particular issue, but well informed.

This is why transparency is so essential in the political arena. Sometimes it is what is said that causes a problem, and by the same token what is not said could also be of concern. This seems to be the case with our government’s move to build a badly needed airport for Bermuda. The Progressive Labour Party is extremely critical of the arrangement with the Canadian Government and the process involved, while the One Bermuda Alliance government insists the deal protects our economy and will generate jobs and opportunities for Bermudians.

Locals are not in the mood for any of the nasty political exchanges over any issue because the challenges the island faces are bigger than the OBA or the PLP. Every politician wishing to serve Bermuda must be held accountable for holding the best values as foremost in dealing with each other, and also in dealing with the people. The voters are not deaf or blind, and are fully capable of reading between the lines when politicians speak.

When a politician walks the path of transparency and decency, even when they stumble the public will be more forgiving because, again, no one is perfect. What the public will not tolerate is anyone who resents criticism, or reacts in a negative manner when questioned. This is where the role of the free press becomes crucial. Their job is to cut through political games and to keep the facts on the surface regardless of who they favour.

Bermuda must shake off its acute political divisiveness or accept the consequences of seeing our ship run aground — simply because we refused to change course for the better. This is not a time for political games.