CNN’s Stelter, New York Post’s Mandel clash over de Blasio

New York Post opinion editor Seth Mandel clashed with CNN’s Brian Stelter over an interview the network’s senior media correspondent did Sunday with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio after a Post reporter was removed by the mayor’s security while seeking to ask a question.

The New York Post reporter was removed by police from a Dominican Day parade in New York City on Sunday after attempting to ask de Blasio a question.

De Blasio’s press secretary told the Post that its reporter was removed to protect the mayor.

“The Department takes appropriate and necessary measures to protect dignitaries, including the Mayor of the City of New York,” de Blasio press secretary Eric Phillips said Sunday.

Mandel criticized Stelter for not being tough enough with the mayor regarding the press, claiming on Twitter that Stelter essentially brought de Blasio on his CNN media show to criticize Fox News. Mandel also said Stelter had let de Blasio claim that Fox News elected President Trump. The New York Post is owned by Rupert Mudoch, the executive chairman of News Corp., the owner of Fox News.

So CNN elects Donald Trump, then brings Bill de Blasio on to claim Fox elected Donald Trump. Seems legit.

The war on the press is coming from inside the house.

— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) August 12, 2018

Cannot describe just how much respect I’ve lost for those at CNN over this.

— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) August 12, 2018

CNN’s pushback on Trump has had *nothing* to do with press safety & freedom. Turns out it was all about their campaign to try to catch their rival network in the ratings, for which they…elevated Trump in the first place.

But for Wales?

— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) August 12, 2018

Stelter responded by noting parts of the interview where he discussed Post staffers telling him they saw no difference between Trump and de Blasio’s attacks on the press, adding he broached safety and security per one staffer who is afraid to leave the New York Post building.

You must have missed the part where I brought up security and safety. Here’s the full interview. https://t.co/X0soNZYyHt

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) August 12, 2018

“Look, I had staffers at New York Post this week say to me you were doing exactly what Donald Trump does,” Stelter said to de Blasio during the interview.

“Couldn’t be more untrue,” de Blasio replied.

“Let’s break it down,” he said. “If one agrees and look at the facts over decades, does News Corp. [owner of the New York Post] have a clear right wing agenda? I think that one is pretty obvious. Do they sensationalize, racialize and divide? Yes. Does that compare to CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, The New York Times, The Washington Post? No.

“One of these things is not like the other. They have a right to exist. But we also have a right to confront what they’re doing to our country and not simply stand idly by because we fear a comparison.”

Stelter also said he’d heard from a staffer at the Post who felt unsafe leaving the New York Post building because of de Blasio’s criticism of the Post.

“OK, but a ‘Post’ staffer says that makes me feel unsafe leaving my building in midtown Manhattan. Isn’t that a problem?” Stelter asked.

“It’s not a problem if you say, we respect all media. We defend all media’s rights, but we also have to be able to say if a media outlet is affecting the national discourse in a certain way,” de Blasio replied.

Mandel suggested that Stelter was underplaying the damage de Blasio was causing by referring to only one reporter feeling unsafe when it is a more common concern at the Post.

“Is that a joke? ‘Post staffers say it makes me feel unsafe’??” Mandel wrote regarding one part of the clip. “Are you doing a parody of yourself? You brought him on and let him smear all the work we do and you didn’t [expletive] challenge him on ANY of it. That’s how you feel about local news, Brian? You ridiculous soulless clown.”

Is that a joke? “Post staffers say it makes me feel unsafe”?? Are you doing a parody of yourself? You brought him on and let him smear all the work we do and you didn’t fucking challenge him on ANY of it. That’s how you feel about local news, Brian? You ridiculous soulless clown.

— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) August 12, 2018

Stelter ripped Mandel, saying it remarks were “shocking and unbecoming,” prompting Mandel to repeat his claim that de Blasio wasn’t challenged on his attacks on the press.

Your rage is shocking and unbecoming of you. I can see that you don’t want to have a real conversation. Have a good night, hope you have a better tomorrow.

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) August 12, 2018

Please play the victim here Brian. Please. And the next time cops tell me I can’t go out my preferred exit today b/c it’s not safe, I’ll say “no don’t worry Stelter brought de Blasio on to mock your security concerns.” And he’ll surely say “don’t be mean to Brian on Twitter.”

— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) August 12, 2018

De Blasio said earlier in May that he “wouldn’t shed a tear” in the New York Post went out of business.