Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany’s team blocked a Milwaukee news publication’s reporters from entering an event over what a campaign staffer reportedly called unfair coverage, according to the outlet and videos posted on social media.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said in its coverage that Tiffany staffer Eric Brooks barred investigative journalist Mary Spicuzza from entering despite assurances from the Republican gubernatorial nominee earlier this week that reporters would be able to cover his campaign.
The Tiffany campaign said in a statement that Spicuzza had received notice on Wednesday that she would not be permitted to attend the lawmaker’s roundtable with military veterans. The campaign allowed a Journal Sentinel photojournalist to attend.
The team appeared to specifically take issue with the publication’s coverage of Tiffany’s opponent, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who became the Democratic nominee after an upset win during August’s primary election. The two are locked in a tight race ahead of Election Day.
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“We expect journalists to be balanced, and when you write multiple negative headlines about our campaign and not a single negative headline about David Crowley, as Mary Spicuzza has done, that is not balanced reporting,” the campaign’s statement read.
In a video posted to social media, a campaign staffer stood in a doorway to prevent Spicuzza from entering the event. As the reporter asked questions about her access, the staffer could be heard telling Spicuzza the campaign wanted her to “cover the race fairly.”
Journal Sentinel Executive Editor Greg Borowski defended the publication’s reporters in a statement Thursday.
“When our reporters cover campaigns and attend political events, they are there on behalf of the public,” Borowski said. “Blocking them blocks the public from vital information. Our aim is to help voters understand the candidates, their backgrounds and their positions. We will continue to pursue fair and unbiased coverage, despite campaigns creating unnecessary hurdles.”
The incident occurred days after President Donald Trump banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from entering the White House, a decision that sparked additional concerns about press freedoms and access. A federal judge ordered the White House to temporarily restore access on Thursday, and reporters were able to enter the grounds after an initial delay.
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