General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA Statement From The New York Times on Presidential News Coverage
For anyone who understands the role of the free press in a democracy, it should be troubling that President Biden has so actively and effectively avoided questions from independent journalists during his term. The president occupies the most important office in our nation, and the press plays a vital role in providing insights into his thinking and worldview, allowing the public to assess his record and hold him to account.
Mr. Biden has granted far fewer press conferences and sit-down interviews with independent journalists than virtually all of his predecessors. It is true that The Times has sought an on-the-record interview with Mr. Biden, as it has done with all presidents going back more than a century. If the president chooses not to sit down with The Times because he dislikes our independent coverage, that is his right, and we will continue to cover him fully and fairly either way.
However, in meetings with Vice President Harris and other administration officials, the publisher of The Times focused instead on a higher principle: That systematically avoiding interviews and questions from major news organizations doesnt just undermine an important norm, it also establishes a dangerous precedent that future presidents can use to avoid scrutiny and accountability. That is why Mr. Sulzberger has repeatedly urged the White House to have the president sit down with The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, CNN and other major independent news organizations that millions of Americans rely on to understand their government.
https://www.nytco.com/press/a-statement-from-the-new-york-times-on-presidential-news-coverage/
Fiendish Thingy
(15,669 posts)Biden should give an interview to the Scranton gazette (or whatever their local paper is called)
shrike3
(3,811 posts)JustAnotherGen
(31,924 posts)He has a TickTock, social media, etc etc - let the people get it directly from him.
We don't need a journalist to stand in between us and our President.
dalton99a
(81,635 posts)A.G. Sulzberger, chairman of The New York Times Company and publisher of The New York Times, protector of the oligarchs, purveyor of manufactured outrage
Lonestarblue
(10,095 posts)scipan
(2,361 posts)Not this underhanded shit of constantly bringing up his age.
senseandsensibility
(17,157 posts)very astute comment.
scipan
(2,361 posts)dalton99a
(81,635 posts)The New York Times will publish, peddle, and push that bullshit until November and beyond
wishstar
(5,272 posts)since as I recall there were virtually no press conferences with his predecessor and also no WH daily pressers during most of the latter months of the previous administration.
msongs
(67,459 posts)demmiblue
(36,899 posts)Link to tweet
Link to tweet
Earth-shine
(4,044 posts)maxsolomon
(33,419 posts)From the anonymous employees quote on Sulzberger's "retaliation".
Note to the NYT: Trump destroyed the norms; quit pretending it's 2015 again. Biden's busy getting shit done.
NanaCat
(1,301 posts)Bloody fascists, and a pox on their house.
Think. Again.
(8,493 posts)...I know that "independent journalists" are basically free-lance and not contracted to corporate news organizations, but how is this corporate news organization now referring to itself and other corporate media organizations as "major independent news organizations"?
Edit to add: And believe me, that's the least of my concerns with all of this.
delisen
(6,046 posts)The Newspaper of the Entitled thinks they are entitled to a.Presidential interview.
Just report the news, NYT ! I am hearing President Biden and VP Harris loud and clear. I dont need a NYT filter on the president.
We had that when Trump was occupying the Oval Office. She was called Maggie Haberman.
usonian
(9,909 posts)Unlike someone else, Joe Biden has some dignity.
SNOTS!!