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n1 [soylentnews.org] writes:

In the past two weeks, the Democratic presidential nominee has faced increased scrutiny from critics to take questions at a news conference — something she hasn’t done in 273 days.

[...] New York Times columnist Jim Rutenberg criticized Clinton for her aversion toward the press in a searing piece [nytimes.com] on Sunday, and CNN senior media correspondent Brian Stelter has not been shy when offering his opinion.

“She is acting in some ways as if she is already president,” Stelter said in a recent CNN appearance. “By not acknowledging the importance of a press conference, the uniqueness of a press conference — it makes me wonder how accessible she’d be in the White House as president.”

[...] The campaign, which did not return requests for comment for this story, frequently cites a figure that asserts Clinton has granted more than 350 interviews this year.

[...] Holly Shulman, a former spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee, told Business Insider that technology has changed the way candidates run for office and suggested there was less of a need to lean on the press to disseminate a message.

“Campaigns have changed,” she said, noting that candidates can now reach voters directly through social media. “[T]his type of direct engagement has a much bigger impact on voters' decisions.”

[...] Trump has continued to spotlight Clinton’s refusal to take questions from the media in an open setting.

In recent weeks, the New York businessman’s campaign has sent out an email each morning reminding reporters exactly how many days it has been since “hiding Hillary” last held a press conference.

[...] Brian Fallon, the campaign’s top spokesman, seemed to acknowledge the importance of one on Friday. He promised ABC News [go.com] that if elected, “Hillary Clinton will hold press conferences.”

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