Does Andy Burnham’s pivot from press to social media put scrutiny at risk?
Summary
Andy Burnham has shifted some political communication toward social media, influencers and podcasts, prompting questions about whether traditional journalists have enough access to scrutinize him. At the Commonwealth summit, he traveled with only two journalists and answered media questions for about seven and a half minutes, though Downing Street says he has also taken part in longer interviews and other media events.Key Facts
- Burnham said traditional media was less relevant and that the world had changed.
- He attended the Commonwealth heads of government meeting with one television crew and one news agency journalist.
- During the three-day event, Burnham took about seven and a half minutes of questions in two brief BBC interviews.
- The summit included discussions of an apology for slavery and possible reparations.
- At the 2024 Commonwealth summit, Keir Starmer traveled with a full press contingent and held a press conference and an on-record question session with journalists.
- Burnham has appeared in social media content, including a video with Chancellor John Healey ranking pub snacks and a TikTok video of him running with Mo Farah.
- Downing Street points to Burnham’s longer-form interviews and a recent interview on ITV’s Good Morning Britain as evidence that he does not avoid scrutiny.
- A former media adviser warned that journalists could respond strongly if they feel shut out or unable to scrutinize policy.
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