Biden greets, fists media members on their way to the White House

President Biden greeted members of the press on Wednesday on his way to the White House and exchanged fist blows with some in striking contrast to the previous one. President TrumpDonald TrumpLil Wayne gets Trump forgiveness in the 11th hour Trump grants clemency to more than 100 people, including Bannon Trump must forgive Bannon: reports MORElitigation between the company and the media.

The newly installed president was filmed offering a punch to the face of NBC’s “Today” personality, Al Roker, and told other members of the press “keep doing what you are doing”

The president’s comments to the press follow a predecessor who often protested the media, attacking it as an “enemy of the people”.

Media professionals strongly criticized this rhetoric, especially after several journalists and photographers were caught in the middle of the blockade imposed during the deadly January 6 riots at the United States Capitol.

Media members also criticized previous governments for lack of transparency and access to the press, something they hope the new government can change.

This week, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), in a letter to Biden, asked him to rescind the rules that started with Obama and said they have gotten worse with Trump that restrict which agency employees can speak to the press.

“SPJ believes that the country is suffering the consequences of these controls during the COVID-19 pandemic. The agencies that the public relies on, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, have prevented reports for years, ”states the letter. “Often, the press is not allowed to enter their premises and reporters are prohibited from contacting the team without the supervision of the authorities; in reality, reporters are often not allowed to speak to anyone. ”

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