[x]

Candidates don't do "Town Halls" unless they can pack them with their supporters.

And considering what people say about candidates they don't like, isn't it best if the journalists ask the tough questions, rather than the crowd?

Yes, it makes for a phony event, but give the tickets to those who support other candidates (or no candidates) and an event can really get out of control.

People will be asking the candidates tough questions enough as the campaign goes on.

[Mount Athos]

It is very deceptive and corrupt for a news organization to call a cherry picked audience a “town hall”.

I’m not ok with that, I think it is a betrayal of ethics and journalistic standards.

If they are going to broadcast a standing ovation from an audience they allowed to be cherry picked, then inform the viewers that the candidates picked their most ardent supporters to be in the audience.
Otherwise your news channel is a fraud