I read/watched with some interest reports last week that President Trump had banned three major news outlets from the White House because of what he called “fake news.” Could it happen here, in our Hudson Valley, I wondered?

As a journalist, I reject Trump’s being Trump in this instance. But while blatant, this kind of news censorship has been around, in many forms, large and small, since the Founding Fathers.

Preening politicians are hostile to the sometimes-critical coverage they get from media, especially if it’s factually true.

They can stick fingers in the dike as they like, but stories will always leak out. It might take a month, it might take a year, it might take some historian yet unborn, but it gets out.

I’m reminded of a story former CBS anchor Dan Rather told in one of his books about his introduction to Washington media practice. Rather had made his bones in Dallas which got him a promotion to the Washington press corps.

He quickly discovered that most of the “real news” in Washington was generated not on the floor of Congress or by the White House press corps, but at formal dinners and cocktail parties at private homes in the Capitol.

Rather wrote that he was seated at one of those dinners where he was amazed at the candid give and take on national affairs by dignitaries around the table.

Noting his interest, the hostess called him out, politely.

“Mr. Rather,” she said in a kindly matronly voice, “I hope you understand that nothing that is said in this room leaves this room.” Or words to that effect.

Rather, in equally polite terms, responded, “And I hope, madam, that you understand that it is my duty as a journalist to place on the record anything I can by any means available.”

Like truth, the news will out.

Access at all levels of journalism is manna. Around here, the only place I know, politicians limit access by – surprise! - limiting access to offending journos. It can take many forms from unreturned emails or phone calls to outright snubs in face-to-face confrontations.

Those on the favorites list get immediate access, as long as they hew the party line.

Former assemblyman/congressman Maurice Hinchey took a middle road on perceived media offense. He might clam up for a while but always granted access to his staff. He’d stew for a period and then return to the spotlight. He missed us.

I predict this attempted media coup by Himself will backfire as the banned outlets will respond with even more vehemence and their privileged colleagues (for now) will hog the headlines.

That a number of other outlets, including Trump-friendly Fox News, have refused to fill the gaps the president has created via pool reporting, reflects a certain solidarity between rivals that the White House will no doubt label collusion.

Bottom line, from this vantage point, is I’m not too concerned about Trump violating the Constitution, which unsurprisingly for the time it was written, does not comment on (newspaper) access to the president or any other elected officials.

No-Shows on the Menu

The Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce will host candidates for Assembly, state Senate and Congress on the 29th at breakfast at Best Western in Kingston. Candidates for these offices generally don’t make much news at these friendly venues. Unlike their vituperative TV ads, they behave themselves, more or less. For an audience of early-riser business types, it’s at least a chance to see these worthies in person and how well they deliver prepared scripts.

“Debates” between Assembly and Senate candidates will be hosted beginning at 7:30. A clutch of candidates will hit the stage for about 45 minutes, with closure promptly at 9. The more engaging politicians usually hang with the departing crowd for one-on-ones.

Of more local interest, state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, D-Saugerties, seeking a third term on the Democratic line, will appear with Republican challenger Patrick Sheehan of Ulster.

They will have the stage to themselves, as Democratic incumbent Sarahana Shrestha of Esopus has again refused the Chamber’s invitation. A contact at the Chamber advised me that the two-term incumbent does not attend events that “cost money,” but I figure it’s more about appearing before a group of capitalist oppressors, many of whom are her constituents, than anything else. The Chamber picks up the check for its guest speakers.

In “the other race for Senate,” Democratic candidate Michele Frazier of Delhi will attend. The Chamber says it has not heard from Republican opponent Christopher Tague of Schoharie.

Candidates for congress will appear at the Oct. 29 breakfast where archrivals Democrat Patrick Ryan and Mary Auringer could provide entertainment. The pair have been sniping at each other since Auringer, like Ryan, a Kingston native, declared for the Republican nomination last winter for the 18th District.

As for the 19th, currently held by freshman Josh Riley, Democrat of Ithaca, the 18’s should have the podium to themselves. Riley doesn’t do Chamber breakfasts, and his Republican opponent, state Sen. Peter Oberacker of Schoharie, had not responded to invitations.