October 23, 2008

Briefing the press Obama style

Is this a preview of White House press briefings Obama style?

From OneNewsNow:

Obama selling election spots to media

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Lynn Sweet notes the Obama campaign is planning to charge reporters $935 for a package that includes access to a heated file tent, power, cable TV, Internet, and food. The cheapest place a reporter could stand on a riser with a view is $880. Members of the media will also be charged $300 for an unlimited long distance phone line and $275 for high-speed wired Internet.

Do you find it presumptuous for the Obama campaign to charge media representatives for access to resources on election night?

According to Sweet, "This is an outrageous pay-to-play plan that caters to national elite outlets with deep pockets." Bob Knight, director of the Culture and Media Institute, agrees.

"Some folks might feel that this shows that Obama doesn't believe in a free press, but one he would charge for," he says, chuckling. "Really, it's kind of funny because the media have done so much to boost his candidacy that you'd think the least he could do is give them a few hors d'oeuvres on the night of his coronation, if he is elected."

Knight says the Obama campaign's "pay-to-play plan" is unprecedented. "In all my years as a reporter and editor, I have never heard of anything like that," he shares, "and I just asked a colleague at a major newspaper if he had [ever heard of such a thing] and he said, 'No.' He finds it very strange."

The media analyst doubts the major media will care about the pricey election night packages because, as he puts it, they "love Obama" and "have deep pockets."

If elected, perhaps the one's White House will publish a newsletter telling the people what to think informing the people about the latest White House news. He could name it Granma En La Yuma.

Posted by Ziva at October 23, 2008 11:53 PM

Comments

Granma En La Yuma: That was classic, Z!

Posted by: George L. Moneo [TypeKey Profile Page] at October 24, 2008 12:41 AM

What Kind of Communism is that ?

Posted by: Peter Perez [TypeKey Profile Page] at October 24, 2008 07:51 AM

Peter, the usual kind wherein the press is owned by the one, who is answerable to no other, and who collects the money up front. Sound familiar?

Posted by: Ziva Sahl [TypeKey Profile Page] at October 24, 2008 08:43 AM


You have reached an old version of a post at BabaluBlog.com, probably because a search engine referred you or you followed an old link. If you'd like to view this post at its new home you can do so by clicking here and searching for the post on our new site. Tip: Take note of the date of this post and use our calendar feature to find it in its new home.