NBC's Chuck Todd Faults Hillary On Media Access

Hillary Clinton

NBC's Meet the Press host Chuck Todd is blasting Hillary Clinton for continuing to block media access to her campaign and is urging the presidential candidate to change that strategy or risk damaging coverage, according to Truth Revolt.

Todd, along with the NBC Political Unit, used his morning briefing First Read to explain "why the fight over access to Hillary Clinton matters." Though it's typical for journalists to wish for more access to political candidates, Todd sees "the escalating tensions" boiling between the Clinton camp and the media as a potential disaster for her bid.

"Clinton, staffed by plenty of White House alums, is essentially running as a presidential incumbent, except without a day job," Todd writes. "By trying to play by the same set of rules that govern the White House press corps (background briefings, tightly regulated pool coverage, and very limited questions to the principle), Team Clinton is playing into the exact narrative they've pledged to avoid -- appearing to hold a coronation, not a contest."

"If the media feels as if Clinton has the attitude that her campaign is above press accountability," Todd continues, "the coverage is going to reflect that. And by the way, this isn't just about playing nice with reporters and bringing donuts to the back of the campaign bus. It's about treating the process with respect."