ATLANTA — CNN is facing mounting criticism after several Black media outlets accused the longstanding news giant of excluding them from covering Thursday night's presidential debate, fueling claims that the network is barring access from underrepresented groups.
The debate is being held at CNN's Midtown studio in Atlanta, a city that has long been lauded as a mecca for Black excellence. The debate's location is also coincidentally within five miles of two prominent Black-owned publications—the Atlanta Voice and the Atlanta Black Star—yet both of the outlets said they never received any correspondence from CNN about media access. EBONY magazine also reports that they were denied press credentials for the event, saying the move "appears to undermine the democratic process."
“It was disrespectful. I thought it was very tacky not to invite the Black newspaper. I thought that was just cheap and typical of CNN,” Atlanta Voice editor-in-chief Donnel Suggs told Atlanta Black Star in a phone interview.
In an email from CNN to 11Alive, the network confirmed a June 7 deadline for media credential requests to be submitted; however, Atlanta Voice and Atlanta Black Star reported they were never notified of the deadline until after it had passed, while other outlets were contacted by CNN without having to reach out independently.
In a statement provided to 11Alive Thursday, CNN refuted the claims of exclusion, saying the credentialing information was made public over a month before the debate.
"We are happy to welcome more than 800 journalists from around the world to Atlanta this week to cover the CNN Presidential Debate, including credentialed members from local Black press who applied for credentials during the credentialing window," the statement read in part. "Unfortunately, due to size and security constraints, we are unable to accommodate additional credential requests following our June 7 application deadline, which came in only in the last few days."
Congressional Black Caucus PAC Chairman Rep. Gregory Meeks responded Wednesday, calling for CNN to credential at least ten Black-owned media outlets ahead of the debate. Meeks slammed the network, saying that of the nearly 800 media credentials granted, none went to Black publications.
"Black-owned media provides a critical, trusted source of information to our communities, and their role in our democracy must be respected and honored by CNN," part of the statement reads.
The National Association of Black Journalists, or NABJ, also issued a statement, urging the Atlanta-based network to "create space to ensure fair and balanced coverage."
"The Black Press serves as a primary news source for many Black Americans, who are key voices in the voting process," the organization said in its statement. "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."