Staff Reports
In recent meetings with Vice President Harris and other officials, The Times publisher Mr. Sulzberger expressed concern over President Biden’s reluctance to engage with major news organizations. Instead of focusing on himself or his newspaper, Mr. Sulzberger emphasized the importance of presidents not shying away from press scrutiny, setting a dangerous precedent for future leaders. The publisher stressed the need for the president to sit down with respected news outlets like The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, CNN, and others, as a means for Americans to gain insight into their government.
New York Times blasts Biden for 'avoiding questions' from journalists in blistering statement
“Mr. Biden has granted far fewer press conferences/sit-down interviews with ind. journalists than virtually all of his predecessors… going back 100 years” NYThttps://t.co/KT3DiRtd7m
— Be Strategic! (@bestrategic2) April 26, 2024
Reporters from The New York Times refuted a claim from POLITICO that Mr. Sulzberger suggested only an interview with The Times could verify President Biden’s fitness for office. Chief White House correspondent Peter Baker adamantly dismissed such a notion, stating that it’s not the way things work at The Times. He emphasized the paper’s commitment to covering the president and holding him accountable, regardless of whether they secure an interview.
President Biden has been labeled as evasive with the White House press, often deferring to press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and avoiding direct engagement. The Washington Post even criticized Biden for his lack of news conferences and interviews, noting that he made fewer appearances than his predecessors, despite promising to restore traditional press relations after the Trump era. In contrast, the White House has been reaching out to nontraditional figures and creating alternative communication networks, diverging from past administrations’ practices.
In summary, the concerns raised by The Times’ publisher and the criticism of Biden’s avoidance of major news organizations point to a lack of transparency and direct engagement with the media. It raises questions about the president’s commitment to open and honest communication, which is crucial for a healthy democracy.
