The Republican Party of Florida and the governor's campaign refused to give credentials to many journalists for a large event.
The Palm Beach Post and the Miami Herald were denied credentials to the "Sunshine Summit" because of their coverage of the presidential race.
The Washington Post and The New York Times didn't get access.
—Patricia Mazzei (@PatriciaMazzei) July 21, 2022
Insider was invited by the Republican Party of Florida to cover the Victory Dinner. The New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, and the Florida Sun-Sentinel were all present.
One reporter who was not on the list told Insider that they had covered the convention for the past four years. Issue covering was never done. This is not what you would expect.
There were 350 media at the summit. Donald Trump was a candidate for the presidency.
—Kimberly Leonard (@leonardkl) July 24, 2022
The journalists were given access to the "Victory Dinner" and were seated on top of risers in the back of the banquet room.
—Kimberly Leonard (@leonardkl) July 23, 2022
Guests also heard from Sen. Marco Rubio, who is up for reelection, as well as Jeanette Nez, the lieutenant governor.
—Kimberly Leonard (@leonardkl) July 24, 2022
According to a spreadsheet obtained by Politico, conservative-leaning outlets were invited to cover other events throughout the day Insider didn't receive an invitation to the other parts of the summit and didn't know about the option until Saturday.
—Matt Dixon (@Mdixon55) July 23, 2022
Reporters who weren't authorized to cover the event from inside the room obtained recordings and interviewed attendees outside
The Republican Party of Florida organized the summit, but the Republican National Committee and the campaign of Ron DeSantis were also involved.
The spokesman for the campaign brushed off the complaints.
He said that the reporters who were not interested in the summit were the same ones who were looking for a glimpse. It proves our presumption that fair coverage was never a thought for them.
The event showcased speeches from conservative columnists and Republicans running for office.
—Kimberly Leonard (@leonardkl) July 24, 2022
NBC 6 and other TV outlets were allowed to carry the event live even though the Republican Party of Florida did not livestream it.
Some of the quotes from the speech were live-tweeted.
The media was invited only, but no details about the screening process were given.
At a time when public trust in the press is low, DeSantis often portrays himself as an attack dog.
The scrutiny of his response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Florida has caused a conflict with federal health guidance. He boasted that he stood up to the media and derided the corporate media.
The relationship with the press is more complex. His press conferences are usually open to a lot of media. At the majority of events, he fields questions from reporters that are off topic from the event's intended purpose, but every once in a while he doesn't take any questions after the event.
The Saturday event was not an official event for the governor's office.
I want them to cry about it. Christina Pushaw, a spokeswoman for the governor, made a joke about a comment made by the former White House press secretary. You were going to write the same piece anyways.
Donald Trump was speaking at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit when the governor's event was taking place, according to the Democrat.
As Trump continues to dangle the possibility of a White House run, there is growing speculation that he may choose to run for president in four years. Trump clashed with the media.
The White House has been accused of being transparent. The White House journalists asked the press secretary to stop prescreening and turning away the same reporters for public events.
The inability of the White House to be candid and transparent about the selection process for reporters attending his remarks undermines President Biden's credibility when he says he is a defender of the First Amendment.
Jean-Pierre told the White House that reopening the events was a priority.
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