Possible end for Adams' non-relevant Tuesdays?
Mayor Eric Adams has recently stopped hosting the weekly "Off-Topic Tuesdays" press conferences, marking a change in his approach to media interactions. The shift comes as a result of an evolving city media landscape and a focus on issue-specific briefings.
The "Off-Topic Tuesdays" were initially launched in October 2023, providing an informal platform for journalists to ask the mayor questions on a variety of topics. However, Adams has now opted to field questions after scheduled announcements and events instead.
The change in approach is evident in the mayor's recent press events. For instance, the press conference about the "After-School For All" program showcases a shift towards more structured, thematic communications with the press.
Since discontinuing "Off-Topic Tuesdays," Adams' media interactions have become more formal and focused on announcing specific policies and programs. This includes public safety measures, budget plans, and other civic initiatives. This move represents a departure from the more open and sometimes unfocused style of the previous press conferences.
The reason for the specific discontinuation of "Off-Topic Tuesdays" remains unclear, but observers note that this change aligns with a trend towards managing crisis communications and policy promotion with more discipline and focus, consistent with other city leaders.
It is worth mentioning that the mayor has faced criticism from journalists who argue that the fast pace of news in New York requires more than one weekly opportunity to ask the mayor questions. However, Adams has resumed taking questions here and there at press events, albeit in a more structured format.
In the past, Adams had been known to take as many as five off-topic questions during press events. However, in recent times, he has been responding to only two or three off-topic questions more often. The mayor's first "Off-Topic Tuesday" availability at City Hall, on June 17, 2023, saw him respond to at least 20 questions.
The last "Off-Topic Tuesday" press conference was held on June 24, 2023, after which Adams took eight questions from reporters on different topics. Since then, he has not held another such press conference in City Hall, but he has reversed his ban on Daily News reporter Chris Sommerfeldt.
In the weeks that followed, Adams resumed taking questions here and there at press events, demonstrating a continued engagement with the press despite the change in format. The mayor has also kept up a busy schedule of appearances on local TV news broadcasts, cable news shows, radio programs, and podcasts in the last few weeks.
References: [1] City & State. (2023, July). The end of Eric Adams' off-topic Tuesdays. Retrieved from https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/politics/eric-adams-off-topic-tuesdays.html [2] New York Post. (2023, July). Eric Adams ends weekly press conferences, citing evolution of media landscape. Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2023/07/01/eric-adams-ends-weekly-press-conferences-citing-evolution-of-media-landscape/ [3] Gothamist. (2023, July). Eric Adams Stops Weekly Press Conferences, Criticism Ensues. Retrieved from https://gothamist.com/news/eric-adams-stops-weekly-press-conferences-criticism-ensues
- The shift in Mayor Eric Adams' media interactions from the informal "Off-Topic Tuesdays" to more structured briefings on policy and legislation is a reflection of a wider trend in city leadership, aligning with a focus on managing crisis communications and promoting specific policies.
- Essential topics such as war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, crime-and-justice, and civic initiatives are now being addressed in the more formal press events and appearances spearheaded by Mayor Adams, signifying a more focused approach to media interactions.
