President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will be at tonight’s CNN presidential debate, but one thing missing will be members of the Black press.
CNN is facing growing backlash for denying credential requests to Black-owned media outlets.
Ebony magazine published an article on Wednesday, June 26, saying it was among a group of prominent Black publications that were “refused” in-person access to the first 2024 presidential debate.
“Notable Black media organizations, including Ebony, Atlanta Black Star and Atlanta Voice, have reported being denied press credentials or not being informed of the application deadlines,” the article read, adding that CNN’s decision could have an “impact on voter suppression.”
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The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which is comprised of Black-owned publications, said some of its members contacted CNN last month about obtaining credentials, “but never heard back.”
On Wednesday NNPA member paper, The Washington Informer, published a letter it received from Dylan Rose, director of communications for CNN Washington, saying journalists with the paper would be granted transcripts and photos, but could not attend the debate.
“Unfortunately, due to the high volume of requests and space and security constraints, we are unable to accommodate any additional credential requests following our June 7th credential deadline. If you would like to receive transcripts and photos from the debate, please let us know and we will ensure you are on our distribution list. Best, Dylan Rose,” the letter read.
NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. noted that CNN had granted credentials to journalists from international outlets, whose readers can’t vote in the U.S. election. Chavis accused CNN of discriminating against Black Americans.
“CNN’s decision is an affront to the very essence of press freedom and diversity. In a city where Black voices and perspectives are essential, this exclusion is both a slap in the face and a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles for equitable media representation,” Chavis said in a statement.
Stacy Brown, a senior national correspondent for the NNPA, told Urban Hollywood 411 the mayor of Atlanta appealed to CNN to grant the organization access, but the cable giant stood firm.
Atlanta Black Star, which is located in the same neighborhood as CNN’s Atlanta headquarters, said it never received “a press release or any other communication regarding media access for the debate.”
In response to the controversy, the Congressional Black Caucus weighed in.
“This afternoon we learned that CNN has credentialed 800 members of the media for the first presidential debate of the election cycle. Not one represents a Black-owned media outlet. CNN’s exclusion of Black-owned media represents an egregious oversight and is totally unacceptable,” Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), chairman of Congressional Black Caucus Political Action, said in a widely-distributed statement.
“We are calling on CNN to credential a minimum of 10 Black-owned media outlets,” Meeks added. “Failure to do so is a choice, an offense to Black Americans, and cannot stand.”
On Thursday, the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) also criticized the network.
“CNN is hosting the debate in a place that is commonly called the ‘Black Mecca’ of the U.S. because of the rich and influential Black culture there. It is critical to ensure Black-owned and operated media are present and have prime placement to record, create, and share content for their audiences,” NABJ said in a statement on its website. “We are aware that access to transcripts and visuals was offered by CNN to outlets that weren’t approved, but we also understand the power and value of being able to access news in real-time.”
