The right of (no) reply.

The article examines the evolving challenges journalists face in securing a right of reply from subjects, highlighting how this longstanding reporting practice is increasingly met with hostility, defamation, or silence. It discusses growing distrust in the media, exacerbated by scandals and the toxic environment on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), which complicates fair engagement. Examples include difficulties in obtaining comments during the sale of The Daily Telegraph and the case of investigative outlet ProPublica’s reporting on Pete Hegseth, which was met with public attacks despite thorough fact-checking. The piece underscores the tension between journalistic fairness and subjects’ often adversarial responses, urging reporters to navigate these interactions with caution given the current climate of political bullying and fragile egos.