CNN faces backlash for allegedly excluding Black-owned media from presidential debate

CNN is facing mounting criticism after several Black media outlets accused the longstanding news giant of excluding them from covering Thursday night's presidential debate, fueling claims that the network is barring access from underrepresented groups.

The debate is being held at CNN's Midtown studio in Atlanta, a city that has long been lauded as a mecca for Black excellence. The debate's location is also coincidentally within five miles of two prominent Black-owned publications—the Atlanta Voice and the Atlanta Black Star—yet both of the outlets said they never received any correspondence from CNN about media access. EBONY magazine also reports that they were denied press credentials for the event, saying the move "appears to undermine the democratic process."