AP skip GOP debate to protest FOX Restrictions

 The Associated Press decided not to cover a Republican presidential debate in protest against the limitations imposed on media coverage by its organizers.

Fox News Channel and the South Carolina Republican party are co-sponsoring the first presidential election of 2012 GOP debate Thursday. But sponsors are except still photographers to enter the room in Greenville, s.c., in the debate.

It is a change from past debates when Fox was still photographers access increased. AP and Reuters photographers were allowed to access extended January 2008 GOP primary debate in Myrtle Beach, s.c., including several each agency photographers allowed in the room during large parts of the debate, said Ake of David j.Deputy Director General of the PA Office/photos.

"The steps of initiation of an event as important as the presidential selection process must be as accessible as possible to all forms of journalism," said Michael Oreskes, senior editor of the AP. "These candidates want to lead the country." The country has the right to see from different angles, not only where the television cameras are positioned. ?

Fox told the AP and Reuters that it will allow only a photographer still in the debate at the beginning, when candidates shake hand, and the photographer to leave when the debate began. He also that the single photographer wants to distribute the photos of all other media organisations.

Reuters said the Fox and the South Carolina Republican Party and that it will accept such restrictions of coverage. Co. McClatchy, which has five daily newspapers in South Carolina, also objected to the restrictions, but is covering the debate.

"It is inconceivable that an event is to reach voters comes with limits that bar information and images of people debate aims to achieve, said Anders Gyllenhaal, Executive of the McClatchy high of page news."

South, Director of the Republican party Carolina Joel Sawyer said there have been restrictions on photography in the past and that the event would be seen by many people even without always present photographers.

Archives photos show photographers of the two organizations were allowed to in important parts of the 2008 debate, Ake said.

Cherie Grzech, Director of the Fox of the policy, said: "AP is authorized to access before and after the debate if they are interested."

The GOP field is set. About a dozen Republicans are considering running for the Presidency or have taken initial steps towards campaigns full, but five will only participate in the debate Thursday evening: former Governor of Minnesota Tim Pawlenty, former Senator of Pennsylvania Rick SantorumTexas Rep. Ron Paul, former Governor of the New-Mexico Gary Johnson and pizza Tycoon Herman Cain.

They are only candidates who meet the criteria of the sponsors to participate: forming a presidential exploratory Committee, GOP state filing paperwork and pay $25,000 to get on the primary ballot.