Media Throwing Fit Over Limited Access During Palin Meetings At The UN
Of course, they never threw a fit when Obama was denying them access to private meetings with foreign leaders during his “world tour.”
Here’s what’s going on with Palin.
The networks had arranged for a “pool” camera– one camera to cover the first few seconds of the meetings, whose video would be pooled or shared with all networks.
Such arrangements are standard when dealing with intimate high-level meetings between leaders and candidates.
But typically, along with cameras, there is an editorial presence– at least one print reporter, one television reporter, and one radio reporter is standard.
However today the McCain campaign told media covering Palin’s trip to New York that they would allow only one editorial person inside.
Then the campaign scaled back further, saying it will only allow a camera and no editorial presence.
The networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, and Fox fiercely objected to the McCain campaign’s apparent effort to try to shield Palin from questions. Networks voted today to not use any video coming out of Palin’s meeting as a protest.
This seems pretty stupid from both sides. Why the McCain campaign wouldn’t let reporters into the photo-op is beyond me. It wasn’t like a press conference. Palin would walk up, shake some hands, pose for some pictures and then walk into the meetings. Reporters would undoubtedly shout questions, but they’d be ignored like most media questions are ignored at such events.
On the other hand, why is the media so upset about this? It was a photo up. It’s not like they’re being denied access to question Palin at all. They seem to be throwing a fit over nothing at all.
And what’s more, when Obama was on his world tour earlier this year he met with several international leaders behind closed doors with no protestations from the media. Obama met with leaders in Israel behind closed doors. He met with the Prime Minister of Pakistan behind closed doors. He met with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown behind closed doors.
So what’s the problem with Sarah again? That a handful of reporters weren’t allowed to shout questions at Palin as she posed for pictures?
Give me a break.
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