If he isn't here there is nothing to say about him.
There fore he doesn't deserve equal mention.
If he isn't there he can't show up in the sound bites or background shots. However, an ethical reporter will include the stance on all candidates on the ballot. If they choose to not answer the questions that is the candidate's fault, but if the reporter doesn't ask them it is the reporter's fault.
Being the "watch dog," which is the inflated self important title media likes isn't easy. They must do the work, or quit pretending.