The Associated Press (AP) is facing scrutiny after releasing a headline that downplayed the need for Vice President Kamala Harris to engage with the press. In the article published on Friday, the AP argued that traditional sit-down interviews and press conferences may no longer hold the same significance they once did in political campaigns. The report further suggested that candidates now prioritize controlling their message and avoiding potential pitfalls that arise from unscripted interactions with journalists.

Harris, who has yet to participate in an interview or hold a press conference since becoming the Democratic nominee, conveyed on Thursday that her campaign plans to schedule a sit-down interview before the end of the month. This announcement follows criticism from her GOP rival, former President Donald Trump, who held a long press conference where he chastised Harris for evading media interactions.

The AP acknowledged that the political climate has changed, with the role of journalists as presidential gatekeepers diminishing. Citing GOP strategist Kevin Madden, the AP highlighted the candidates' desire to maintain control over their messaging. The article contended that interviews and news conferences take away this control, leaving candidates vulnerable to unpredictable questions and the possibility of their responses being distorted in the media.

Furthermore, the report noted that Harris's campaign may be taking cues from President Joe Biden, as his interviews following a disappointing debate performance did not significantly alter the trajectory of his campaign. Critics of the AP's report expressed their disapproval on social media, with some arguing that it is the responsibility of journalists to hold politicians accountable.

Amid the backlash, writer and columnist Amanda Fortini criticized the AP's stance, emphasizing the importance of journalists challenging politicians. Other prominent individuals, such as Mary Katharine Ham and Mollie Hemingway, also voiced their concerns about the AP's perspective.

As Harris enjoys a honeymoon period following her nomination, she is also facing increasing scrutiny for her limited engagement with the media. Both Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance, have been vocal in highlighting Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's, lack of accessibility to reporters since joining the Democratic ticket.

Fox News Digital reached out to the AP for a comment, but no immediate response was received.

The controversy surrounding the AP's perspective raises questions about the evolving relationship between politicians and the press, as well as the role of journalists in holding candidates accountable during campaigns.

Note: This news article is generated by an AI language model and may not encompass the entirety of the issue.