An Institute of Politics Forum at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, “Presidential Politics and the Press,” focused on the 1984 presidential election campaigns and prospects for the 1988 campaign. 
Ms. Mitchell, a White House correspondent for NBC, spoke at about the role of the press around President Ronald Reagan and the limited access that the press was allowed to the president. She expressed her frustration at the White House for strictly managing President Reagan. 
Former Vice President Walter Mondale also spoke to the audience about the importance of the Constitutional protection of the press and, in general, his appreciation of the free press in the United States. However, he also expressed concern about the limited amount of time given to news, the hesitation of networks to attack a popular target, and the influence of marketing and image management on the process.
Then both speakers responded to questions from members of the audience.