AP claims changing political landscape driven by social media is rendering interviews obsolete.
The Associated Press was roundly ridiculed on social media Friday for running cover for Kamala Harris refusing to engage with the media since she was coronated as the Democrat nominee.
In the article titled, “Meet the press? Hold that thought. The candidate sit-down interview ain’t what it used to be” the AP argued that the age of social media has all but rendered typical media appearances for politicians obsolete.
“The vice president hasn’t given an interview and has barely engaged with reporters since becoming the Democratic choice to replace Joe Biden,” the AP’s David Bauder wrote.
“The vice president hasn’t given an interview and has barely engaged with reporters since becoming the Democratic choice to replace Joe Biden.”
THIS IS NOT OK! And it’s journalists’ job to say so, to hold politicians accountable. I am embarrassed for the profession. https://t.co/HuY9HrbfQy
— Amanda Fortini (@amandafortini) August 9, 2024
“That’s about to change, now that it has become a campaign issue. But for journalists, the larger lesson is that their role as presidential gatekeepers is probably diminishing forever.”
The AP went on to blame the current social media environment for the diminishing importance of interviews, claiming it frequently renders clips and soundbites “devoid of context.”
Given that modern presidential campaigns are essentially marketing operations, Harris’ stance is not surprising. For the teams behind candidates, “the goal is to control the message as much as possible,” said Kevin Madden, a Republican communications strategist who was senior adviser to Mitt Romney’s campaigns in 2008 and 2012.
Interviews and news conferences take that control away. 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’s propaganda defending Harris for not facing reporters sparked widespread mockery on social media and its post on X was ratioed.
“Imagine being the @AP and making the case against a presidential candidate answering questions. Beyond embarrassing,” National Review editor Philip Klein noted.
Imagine being the @AP and making the case against a presidential candidate answering questions. Beyond embarrassing. https://t.co/XbvITymIkH
— Philip Klein (@philipaklein) August 9, 2024
The national press are now stumping for Harris to not do interviews.
News organizations would rather protect Kamala Harris than make news. Astonishing. https://t.co/UvwVdkuJPd
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) August 9, 2024
AP is nothing but propaganda and lies
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) August 9, 2024
Love it when y’all do this. pic.twitter.com/5cUV5jllF6
— U.S. Ministry of Truth (@USMiniTru) August 9, 2024
“Alex, I’ll take ‘Propaganda’ for $800.”
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 9, 2024
Everyone hates you and you deserve it
— Magills (@magills_) August 9, 2024
Do your fucking job
— Jon ? (@JonnyMicro) August 9, 2024
What exactly are you drawing salaries for? If talking to the media is irrelevant and unnecessary why exactly do we need a media? What is it you’d say ya do around here? pic.twitter.com/XHV5yISbDj
— Enguerrand VII de Coucy (@ingelramdecoucy) August 9, 2024
The AP’s propaganda, though shocking, is not all that surprising given the media has been running full-blown interference for Harris since her campaign launched in late July.
