I'll give my anecdotes of being in Canadian politics from 1986 to 1992. Be warned that I was never part of the decisions this post is suggesting. But I sure heard things:

Interviews like these these (high profile politicians and media stars) are indeed staged. Prior to interview, there are negotiations between the two parties. In simplistic terms, the questions are known in advance. But there are often a lot of nuances to these deals. I'm not sure what happens if the media breaks their part of the deal.

It's a symbiotic relationship. The politician gets to paint a positive message (even in a "tough" interview); the media outlet gets ad revenue and "free-press" creds.

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Similar to some of your other comments, the media needs to portray some degree of controversy. If a politician says "I have a plan and I'm going to implement it," the media will give the slant of an authoritarian. If the politician says "I will talk to stakeholders before I figure out the plan," the media will give the slant as indecisive.

Politicians will never win with "mischievous media". But a politician only needs to be a little better than the opposition in handling that media.

It's time for new way.