The media’s favorite Democratic Socialist is in hot water right now. She held a public town hall meeting and barred the press. Almost nothing makes the media angrier than that.
Mediaite reports:
Reporters Fire Back After Ocasio-Cortez Defends Barring Press From Town Hall So People Would ‘Feel Safe’
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — the New York-based Congressional nominee poised to make history this November by becoming the youngest woman ever elected to the House — has come under fire for barring the media from a public town hall this past Sunday. Now, her defense has prompted even more head-scratching from critics.
The political wunderkind, who has gained national notoriety for her stunning primary win over longtime Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY), took to Twitter Friday afternoon to say that she wanted to provide a forum for local residents “to feel safe discussing sensitive issues in a threatening political time.”
She tried to explain on Twitter:
Our community is 50% immigrant. Folks are victims of DV, trafficking, + have personal medical issues.
This town hall was designed for residents to feel safe discussing sensitive issues in a threatening political time.
We indicated previously that it would be closed to press.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) August 17, 2018
Journalists responded:
And how does the presence of reporters make people feel unsafe?
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) August 17, 2018
You cannot ban members of the press from events that are otherwise open to the public.
That is not how it works.
Period. https://t.co/sqe9HWTEEb
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) August 17, 2018
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