rssMedia Revolts Against Palin Photo-Ops With Foreign Leaders
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 1:21 pm
- 11 Comments
The New York Times‘ Michael Cooper reports that the liberal, McCain-hating* media are mad as hell, and might not be willing to take it much longer. As Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin meets with foreign leaders and American foreign policy heavyweights at the United Nations in New York City today, the McCain campaign attempted to enact a new, even more restrictive media policy for covering the meetings: cameras only. That means no producers, and no print writers.
But the McCain-Palin campaign’s sharp limitations on coverage of the meetings have sparked a mini-revolt – and a threatened boycott — among the press corps.
The campaign plans to bar print reporters from the meetings, and to limit coverage to brief photo-ops for a still photographer and a television camera. The television stations, though, are objecting, noting that they have a policy of not sending cameras to cover events without a producer, who provided editorial guidance.
A stand-off has ensued, with the networks threatening not to send cameras. The newspapers are trying to get back into the act as well.
Generally, events such as this are covered by a small “pool” of reporters, which includes writers from the wire services, a newspaper, a photographer, and a network or cable news crew, including a producer. CBS’ Scott Conroy sheds a little more light on the impact of such a policy:
This means that the McCain/Palin campaign would get the benefit of free pictures of Palin’s meeting with world leaders without having to face the possibility that the candidate might have to answer a question from the media.
Television networks, including CBS News maintain a policy that if they are prevented from having an editorial presence at an event, they will not allow cameras to shoot it.
TV producers also often act as reporters and maintain blogs. Barring them also prevents the media from picking up and reporting any tidbits of the conversation. Politico’s Ken Vogel reports that the campaign relented somewhat and allowed CNN’s producer to sit in, but barred a print reporter.
As many are noting with increasing frequency, it is now nearly a month and a half since Sen. John McCain has held a press conference, and Palin has never taken questions from her press corps since she became the vice presidential nominee. The campaign’s actions indicate a desire to further clamp down on the media’s access. The reporters are in a tight spot — they are paid to cover whatever the McCain campaign does, so they don’t have the option of not doing their jobs. Today’s events prove that if they make enough noise, they can at least stop the campaign from shutting them out further.
UPDATE: McCain has scheduled a press conference TODAY at 4 p.m. EDT. Also, The Associated Press reports that campaign relented and will allow print reporters into Palin’s meetings with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and Henry Kissinger.
*Disclaimer — Sarcasm Level: Extreme
11 Comments
Comment posted September 23, 2008 @ 11:00 am
Clearly none of us trust the media's bias…………infact more prefer going to the rally's and deciding for ourselves what is said by the McCain/Palin ticket. The media has been so biased and critical that there is no longer confidence in their reporting. Didn't Palin indicate in her initial speech that she was not buddying up with the media like Obama/Biden do……………………
Anyone can see that Obama and Biden has a track record of talking talking talking………………….smooching………….sitting as a Senator has achieved what???? outside of big paychecks…..
Katherine
Comment posted September 23, 2008 @ 11:08 am
It's simple. Palin can't stand up to Scrutiny. So they're doing everything they can to shield her from the Media and America at large. Put her in front of nice safe Republican audiences where she can toss off a few soundbites and smile and wave, and she's safe. Put her in front of reporters, who will grill her, and she's going to gaffe away.
Comment posted September 23, 2008 @ 11:20 am
This sounds something like what VP Chaney would do.
Comment posted September 23, 2008 @ 11:29 am
This follows the stated Rove/Gingrich policy of speaking over the press.
How long before the press finally acknowledges their role is being undermined by the current GOP campaign tactics and just stop asking 'please'?
Comment posted September 23, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
“And the truth shall set you free”
If you can get it in our “Democracy”.
The First Amendment says…
Comment posted September 23, 2008 @ 3:29 pm
here's what I fight at Washington Post TRAIL
“Please don't vote for HUSSEIN. White People in America can't afford to let a niggger muslim in the White House. It is the WHITE house after all.
Posted by: JakeD | September 23, 2008 4:52 PM ”
………………….
my response:
“JakeD didn't you get the memo from the queer OUTED Mark Buse McCain's chief of staff
N*GGER isn't used this season…uppity, Obama Waffles, and community organizers are the preferred euphamisms…right Hannity and Lou Dobbs?”
Comment posted September 23, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
BRAVO networks and Press Corps
Don't give Governor Palin a second more coverage until she EARNS IT, by answering reporters questions. Ms. Palin isn't running to be McCain's spokesmodel, she wants to be the VP of the United States.
sarah…if the Press smells fear, they will be eating barracuda sushi for lunch.
Comment posted September 23, 2008 @ 3:46 pm
My dream one hour interview of Sarah Palin
Have Palin locked in a room with Helen Thomas, Helen would have her guts for garters!
Comment posted September 26, 2008 @ 12:11 am
LOL, OMG, where ever did they find this woman, no wait, that's right, she's from the state where you can see Russia from her house! We'll be safe now with her in charge! Hey I can see a convenience store across the street from my house that is run by two Arabs, maybe I can be Secretary of Defense! where do I apply? Palin, do yourself a favor, GO HOME, your family needs you, before you further embarrass yourself.
Comment posted September 26, 2008 @ 7:11 am
LOL, OMG, where ever did they find this woman, no wait, that's right, she's from the state where you can see Russia from her house! We'll be safe now with her in charge! Hey I can see a convenience store across the street from my house that is run by two Arabs, maybe I can be Secretary of Defense! where do I apply? Palin, do yourself a favor, GO HOME, your family needs you, before you further embarrass yourself.
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