MSNBC’s Ronan Farrow: I didn’t order restrictions on reporters

MSNBC host Ronan Farrow says reporters can ask him anything, because he doesn’t put restrictions on interviews.

The 26-year-old son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen is denying that he and his team were behind a “tip sheet” designed to bar reporters from asking him any personal questions at a Wednesday benefit for Reach the World, a nonprofit educational organization. The story first appeared in the New York Post.

The tip sheet warned journalists to stay “on message” or be immediately bounced from the event.

And what else could be on reporters’ minds? Well, Farrow, whose afternoon show “Ronan Farrow Daily” premiered this week, has been at the center of a controversy involving his sister, Dylan Farrow, who has accused Allen of child molestation more than two decades ago. Allen has denied the allegations, but Ronan has publicly supported his sister.

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“I’d never demand anyone not ask me anything, obviously,” Farrow tweeted to his 236,000 followers, adding: “(Doesn’t mean I have to answer though).”

MSNBC is blaming the gaffe on an outside PR consultant hired by Reach the World.

“Ronan and his team did not request any restrictions whatsoever on reporters’ questions,” Heather Halstead, the organization’s executive director, wrote in a statement. “Communications between Reach the World and members of the press have been the sole responsibility of RTW. We apologize to Ronan for this error.”

But the Allen case may not be the only uncomfortable topic for Ronan Farrow. His Monday premiere delivered soft ratings for MSNBC, placing third in the timeslot behind Fox News and CNN.

What do you think of Ronan Farrow?

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