The New York Times has called out President Biden for avoiding "real questions" from the press, while also addressing the ethical dilemma of leaving the country if the "wrong" presidential candidate is elected.
President Biden has faced criticism from the New York Times for his practice of avoiding direct engagement with reporters. The newspaper's criticism stems from Biden's reluctance to answer questions that could potentially cast him in an unfavorable light.
In an article published in its Magazine, the Times noted that Biden "has not held a solo news conference in which he faced open questions from the reporters covering him" since he took office in January 2021. The article also pointed out that Biden has limited his interactions with the press primarily to prepared remarks and tightly controlled settings.
Biden's Press Avoidance Draws Criticism from New York Times
The Times' criticism has been echoed by some media analysts, who argue that Biden's avoidance of tough questions undermines the principle of accountability that is essential to a healthy democracy. They maintain that the president should be willing to face scrutiny from the press, even if it is uncomfortable at times.
In a separate article, the Times' Ethicist columnist addressed the ethical dilemma of whether it is acceptable to leave the United States if the "wrong" candidate becomes president. The question was posed by a reader who expressed concerns about the potential decline of democratic institutions in the country.
Biden's Press Avoidance Draws Criticism from New York Times
The columnist, Kwame Anthony Appiah, argued that leaving one's country because of political concerns is not necessarily unpatriotic, but it should not be taken lightly. He emphasized that those who choose to leave should do so out of a genuine belief that their lives or freedoms would be significantly threatened, rather than out of mere inconvenience or disagreement with the government.
Appiah also stressed the importance of staying engaged and working to improve one's country, even in the face of adversity. He maintained that true patriotism involves a commitment to making the country a better place, regardless of who is in power.
Biden's Press Avoidance Draws Criticism from New York Times
The Times' article also touched on the history of liberal celebrities threatening to leave the United States if Donald Trump was elected president. The article noted that many of these celebrities have since remained in the country, despite their earlier vows to depart.
The article quoted comedian Bill Maher, who has criticized celebrities for their entitled attitudes and lack of perspective. Maher argued that leaving the country is not a sign of patriotism but rather a sign of giving up on one's country.
Biden's Press Avoidance Draws Criticism from New York Times
The article further highlighted the concerns raised by former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, who said he would leave the United States if Trump were re-elected. Cohen expressed fear of political retaliation after his cooperation with investigations into Trump.
The New York Times' articles on Biden's press avoidance and the ethical implications of leaving the country have sparked discussions about the role of the press and the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy. These issues are likely to continue to be debated as the 2024 presidential election approaches.
