Bush dodges another press conference - a secret government?

[Woodstock]

I heard this on NPR, but went looking for a story on his lack of press conferences and couldn't find one in the US media. Why isn't this a bigger deal? It is, after all, the press itself that is being cut off. So why aren't we hearing more about this and why aren't journalists and our weak play nice little Democratic representatives DEMANDING access for the people to their "leader"?

Bush has held the fewest press conferences, and most of the ones he holds are scripted. Journalists are afraid to speak up or be banned. Is this a democratic government by the people for the people? Or a secret government by Halliburton for Halliburton? Why is there no buzz over this?

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/22/1066631501085.html

US President George Bush will dodge media questioning during his Australian visit, in a breach of normal protocol.

At the White House's insistence, Mr Bush will not hold any news conferences with Prime Minister John Howard and strict restrictions are being imposed on media access to the visit.

Joint news conferences are normally held with leaders on official visits, with opportunities for journalists from both nations to ask questions...Mr Howard's office declined to answer questions about the lack of media access to Mr Bush. It is believed, however, that Australian officials had pushed strongly for a news conference to be included in the pair's schedule this afternoon, but were overruled by the White House.

A large number of picture opportunities for Mr Bush have been put on his schedule. A Government spokesman said journalists at one of those opportunities after his meeting with Mr Howard may have the chance to shout "one or two" questions.