AP to skip GOP debate to protest FOX restrictions

[TomCADem]

Source: CBS News

The Associated Press has decided not to cover a Republican presidential debate to protest limits placed on media coverage by its organizers.

Fox News Channel and the South Carolina Republican Party are co-sponsoring the first GOP debate of the 2012 presidential race on Thursday. But the sponsors are barring still photographers from entering the hall in Greenville, S.C., during the debate.

That is a change from past debates, when Fox permitted still photographers greater access. Both AP and Reuters photographers were permitted extensive access to the January 2008 GOP primary debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C., including multiple photographers from each agency allowed in the hall during large parts of the debate, said J. David Ake, the AP's assistant chief of bureau/photos.

***

Fox informed the AP and Reuters that it will only allow one still photographer into the debate at the start, when candidates shake hands, and that the photographer must leave when the debate begins. It also wants the single photographer to distribute the photos to all other media organizations.


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/05/05/ap/politics/main20060264.shtml

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Just is case you needed to be reminded that Roger Ailes is going to essentially hand pick the Republican nominee. Notably, Fox is throwing several of its favorite personalities under the bus, in order to clear the way for a hand picked GOP establishment candidate like Pawlenty or Mittens who can be packaged and sold to the general public.

Why even bother voting in a GOP primary? Just have Roger Ailes make the pick.

[RKP5637]

1. I wonder how many GOP Americas realize the candidates they goggle over are

hand picked and being marketed for a final pick like a slab of rotten meat in the grocery store.

[dflprincess]

4. Do you think that only happens with Republicans? n/t

[RKP5637]

5. As a matter of fact, no. I think anymore this goes on with almost all

candidates, and often we the people come last. IMO wealth rules this country, politicians for the most part are window dressing that come and go for the masses. Politicians come and go, the wealth and the "real" power remain.

[high density]

2. Undoubtably payback for this photo

http://blogs.reuters.com/photo/2008/10/17/mccain-moment/

[RKP5637]

3. I knew it! I knew it! I knew it! n/t

[IllinoisBirdWatcher]

6. And such a wonderful photo it was. Thanks for the reminder. n/t

[Dover]

8. Well, considering all the reporters that were killed and wounded or fired under Bushco

I'm surprised there isn't more backlash from the press. They were essentially target practice over in the killing fields of Iraq and Afghanistan, as was anyone who threatened to report the truth.

I think it would be great if the mainstream press corp ignored the GOP entirely and
took back the reins. Nothing worse than not getting any face time or coverage when you so desperately want to control the message.

[and-justice-for-all]

7. GOP debate, like it matters...

regardless of who wins, they will just get smashed in the debate with Obama.

[FarLeftFist]

9. Uhhh....

"It also wants the single photographer to distribute the photos to all other media organizations."

Sorry about the Godwin's Law but anyone else see the connection? More proof FOX and republicans are FASCISTS.

[russspeakeasy]

10. I have to tell you...the 10 minutes I watched were pretty funny.

Their platform in a nutshell is "Obama is
BAAAAAAAD".
Pawlenty shot himself in the foot by agreeing with Obama on
the burial of OBL. Sean took a dump in his pants when he heard
that.
The people (dolts are us) they surveyed were of one voice
"We must get Obama out of office".  

[cstanleytech]

11. Its odd that they did not give a reason for the

restriction because after all we all know how "fair & balanced" fox news is *chuckle*

[JNelson6563]

12. To be honest that's how I felt as a Dem in MI during 08 primaries.

Ol' Jen was so determined to throw the dstate to her buddy Hillary that we got screwed.

It runs on both sides.

Julie