AP downplays need for Kamala Harris to speak to press: Interviewing candidates 'ain't what it used to be'
Critics blasted the AP's 'propaganda' on social media
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Associated Press is raising eyebrows by downplaying the need for Vice President Kamala Harris to speak to the press.
"Meet the press? Hold that thought. The candidate sit-down interview ain’t what it used to be," a headline from the AP read Friday.
Harris, who has yet to do an interview nor hold a press conference since she swiftly became the Democratic nominee, suggested Thursday her campaign will schedule a sit-down interview before the end of the month after her GOP rival, former President Trump, held an hour-long press conference, during which he spent a lot of time slamming her for avoiding the media.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"That’s about to change, now that it has become a campaign issue," the AP wrote. "But for journalists, the larger lesson is that their role as presidential gatekeepers is probably diminishing forever."
Vice President Kamala Harris has yet to grant an interview or hold a press conference since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
The report quoted GOP strategist Kevin Madden, who said "the goal" for candidates "is to control the message as much as possible."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Interviews and news conferences take that control away," the AP continued. "Candidates are at the mercy of questions that journalists raise — even if they try to change the subject. News outlets decide which answers are newsworthy and will be sliced and diced into soundbites that rocket around social networks, frequently devoid of the context in which they were uttered. In such an environment, the value and perception of the sit-down interview has changed — for journalists and candidates alike."
The AP went on to say that the Harris campaign "may be taking lessons from her boss," noting that President Biden's interviews with ABC and NBC following his disastrous debate performance "did little to change [the] trajectory" of his death spiral candidacy.
MAINSTREAM PRESS ‘DISPLAYED ZERO SELF-RESPECT’ AMID KAMALA HARRIS PRESS BLACKOUT, CRITICS SAY
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Associated Press was panned by critics for suggesting Harris can dodge doing interviews during her campaign. (Getty Images)
Critics took aim at the AP's report on social media.
"THIS IS NOT OK!" writer and columnist Amanda Fortini reacted on X. "And it's journalists' job to say so, to hold politicians accountable. I am embarrassed for the profession."
"Imagine being the @AP and making the case against a presidential candidate answering questions. Beyond embarrassing," National Review editor Philip Klein wrote.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}KAMALA HARRIS HAS AVOIDED INTERVIEWS FOR MORE THAN TWO WEEKS SINCE BECOMING DEM NOMINEE
"The national press are now stumping for Harris to not do interviews. News organizations would rather protect Kamala Harris than make news. Astonishing," Red State writer Bonchie exclaimed.
"Guys. You don’t have to do this," Fox News contributor Mary Katharine Ham told the AP.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"AP is nothing but propaganda and lies," The Federalist editor-in-chief Mollie Hemingway said.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz appear on stage together during a campaign event at the Liacouras Center at Temple University on August 6, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
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The AP did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Harris has been riding on a honeymoon period ever since she emerged as the Democratic nominee. And while she has been showered with glowing media coverage, Harris is also facing increasingly more scrutiny for the lack of media access.
Trump and his running mate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, have been hammering both Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for not facing any reporters since joining the Democratic ticket.