The New York Times criticizes Joe Biden for refusing to give interviews to the press. The White House says it is not satisfied with how the newspaper reports

The renowned American publication The New York Times issued a statement describing as “problematic” the fact that Biden “has so actively and effectively avoided questions from independent journalists during his tenure,” reports Politico.

The US president’s refusal to grant interviews sets “a dangerous precedent,” the publication said in a statement after Politico reported extensively on the high tensions between the New York Times and the White House.

In addition to the paper’s official statement, the publication’s reporters denied the revelations by Politico, which detailed the strained relationship between the publication and the White House, denying that editor AG Sulzberger determines how topics are covered.

“In meetings with Vice President Harris and other administration officials, the editor of The Times focused instead on emphasizing a more important principle: that the systematic avoidance of interviews and questions from major news organizations not only undermines an important norm but establishes a dangerous precedent that future presidents can use to avoid being questioned about their actions and held accountable,” the NYT statement said.

“That’s why Mr. Sulzberger has repeatedly asked the White House to get the president to meet with The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, CNN and other major independent news organizations that millions of Americans rely on for to understand their government.”

According to Politico, the Biden administration is unhappy with the newspaper’s coverage of the president’s age and polls showing Biden with low approval ratings, while the NYT says the White House is not “being realistic” in its view of journalism, and editors are frustrated that they can’t get an interview with Biden.

Several of the paper’s top reporters dismissed part of the Politico story in which two anonymous sources described private comments by editor AG Sulzberger that “only an interview with a newspaper like the Times can verify that Biden, 81 , is still fit to run for the presidency.”

“I’ve never heard the AG say anything like that, nor has anyone else at the New York Times,” NYT Chief White House Correspondent Peter Baker wrote on X. “That’s not how it works. AG wants us to cover this president – ​​and every president – ​​as thoroughly, fairly and aggressively as we can, because that’s our role. It is valid regardless of whether we get an interview. AG takes his responsibility very seriously and is a thoroughly upright man.”

Astead Herndon, a national politics reporter at the NYT, disputed an anonymous source’s claim that Sulzberger was “tacitly encouraging all the tough reporting about Biden’s age.”

“The age coverage was driven by the fact that it’s a very big topic in this election. And to make claims like this ‘further undermines the credibility of New York political coverage,’ that claim should have better evidence than a single anonymous quote,” Herndon wrote in a post on X.

White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement to Politico that the White House “does not comment on the details of our private discussions with reporters and editors.”

“The White House believes deeply in the role of a free press in American democracy, but believes that a mutual relationship based on facts and respect is a cornerstone of any healthy relationship between a media outlet and an administration,” Bates said. “We have this kind of dialogue with The New York Times and many other media organizations.”

Brian McKeon, former assistant secretary of state for management during the Biden administration, wrote in a post on X that the NYT “wants accountability” for the White House “but not for itself.”

“Let us know when the paper publishes more stories about Trump slurring words in speeches and falling asleep in court,” McKeon wrote in a post. “Or when he cites voters and cops asking him to drop his candidacy.”