Controversial Tactics: Allegations Surface Against Harris Campaign

Kamala Harris’s campaign faces serious allegations of suppressing press freedom and manipulating media coverage.

At a Glance

Reports accuse Harris’s campaign of excluding certain journalists from events.
Critics say these exclusions control media interactions and coverage.
The campaign lacks substantial policy positions and specifics.
The campaign faces criticism for using edited headlines in advertisements.

Accusations of Press Suppression

Reports have surfaced accusing Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign of excluding specific journalists from its events, raising concerns about press suppression. Critics argue this exclusion demonstrates a deliberate attempt to control media interactions and coverage. Excluding journalists limits objective reporting and undermines the principles of an independent press, essential for a transparent and democratic election campaign.

Harris has not given any interviews or made off-the-cuff remarks to the press, which some attribute to a campaign devoid of detailed policy positions and specifics. The campaign lacks a policy section on its website, focusing instead on positive emotions and “good vibes.” This has led media outlets to publish fluff pieces about Harris’s cooking skills and laugh, bypassing substantial policy discussions.

STRIKING A ‘CORD’: As the Harris-Walz campaign goes 46 days without a formal press conference, the VP is spotted wearing headphones while jaunting past reporters shouting questions at her. See the video: https://t.co/2xBh5swrSQ pic.twitter.com/Lku3sz5m0G

— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 5, 2024

Media Manipulation through Edited Headlines

Adding to the controversy, Harris’s campaign has been accused of editing news headlines from major media outlets for online advertising, suggesting favorable press coverage. Although common and not against Google’s policies, this practice has raised eyebrows. Several news organizations were unaware their content was being used in this manner, contrasting sharply with other tech companies like Facebook, which have banned the editing of news headlines in ads to prevent misinformation.

One pro-Harris advertisement claimed, “Inflation is down. Under the Biden-Harris administration, the US is winning the inflation fight.”

Google Ads have promoted Harris’s positions on the economy, healthcare, and democracy using edited headlines, spinning her policy proposals positively. An Axios investigation found about a dozen media groups’ articles used for this purpose. Amid these controversies, the campaign faces fierce criticism from Donald Trump, who accuses Harris of manipulating stories and rigging the election.

The Broader Implications

The debate surrounding Harris’s campaign practices brings to light broader issues about equal media representation and unbiased reporting in political campaigns. As media outlets push for inclusive access to political events, the campaign’s tightly controlled strategy contrasts starkly with that of Republican nominee Donald Trump, known for clear policy positions and open engagement with the press.

“Wow! Google and the Harris campaign are manipulating stories. Is this legal?” Trump said in a social media response to the Axios report.

CNN’s Dana Bash called an interview with Kamala Harris and Tim Walz a “watershed moment” in the presidential campaign, but it was largely seen as overhyped. Critics argue media coverage of Harris is disproportionate, focusing more on mundane stories while underplaying significant issues involving Donald Trump.