As Hillary Clinton walked freely down a New Hampshire road, she shook hands and greeted residents with a smile.

But the members of the press accompanying her were a bit more restricted in their movements - as they were guided through the streets with a rope.

The former Secretary of State's campaign staff kept reporters, cameramen and photographers at arm's length as she joined a July 4 parade in Gorham - fueling speculation she is trying to control the media.

Members of the media are seen being guided by a rope as they walk through Gorham in New Hampshire

The rope holding reporters and cameraman back was seen in the front of the shot as walked during a July 4 parade in Gorham, New Hampshire

A news reporter at the scene wrote on Twitter: '"What's with the line?" 12 year old waiting to catch glimpse of Clinton asks of rope being used to wrangle reporters'

She joined the procession after spending the morning at a private residence in nearby Glen.

New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman tweeted: 'Clinton advance aides create a rope line for the press, moving with the candidate.

She added: 'Spectacle of Clinton as candidate - press being pulled along with a rope, Benghazi protester screams "carpetbagger".'

Josh Jordan also wrote: '239 years ago America declared independence. Today Hillary celebrates that by roping off the press like wild animals.'

The Secretary of State's campaign staff kept reporters, cameramen and photographers at arm's length fueling speculation she is trying to control the media

Clinton walks during the Gorham Fourth of July parade in New Hampshire on Saturday

The Democratic presidential candidate is on a two-day swing through the first in the nation primary state over the Fourth of July holiday

In June Daily Mail Online's Political Editor David Martosko was barred from one of her events at the last minute, even though he was designated pool reporter.

Describing what happened, he said: 'Monday morning I showed up at 7:45 in a parking lot where I was to hop on a Clinton campaign van for a drive to the town of Rochester, where the first event would be.

'A very junior staffer told me I couldn't climb aboard: I wasn't 'on the list.

'No matter – I'm paid to chase stories, not to take no for an answer. I got back in my rental car and followed them to Rochester.

'On the way, I spoke with Nick Merrill (the travelling press secretary) for 10 minutes. He gave me a handful of reasons for the sudden rug-pulling.

'At first it was because the campaign didn't want some foreign press outlets participating in the pool when others were giving them 'blowback' about being shut out of events when space is limited.'

Last month, Daily Mail Online's Political Editor David Martosko was barred from one of the presidential hopeful's events at the last minute, even though he was designated pool reporter. Clinton pictured as she speaks to supporters on Saturday

Clinton greets supporters at organizing event at a private residence in Glen, New Hampshire

Afterwards, 13 major media organizations, including The New York Times & The Wall Street Journal, issued a statement defending Martosko and rejecting any attempt by the Clinton campaign to dictate who covers the candidate

On Saturday, Hillary joined the discussion on relations with Russia and said the United States has to be 'much smarter' about how it deals with President Vladimir Putin.

'That's why we have to be much smarter in how we deal with Putin and how we deal with his ambitions,' Clinton said at a campaign event. 'He's not an easy man ... But I don't think there is any substitute other than constant engagement. '

While some held up placards supporting Hillary, others reminded her of the scandal surrounding Benghazi