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Biden’s press office asked White House journalists for questions in advance, Internet says ‘It’s not free press’

Reporters raised concerns about Jen Psaki's team trying to obtain their questions ahead of time at a White House Correspondent's Association Zoom call last Friday

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki had promised to bring "truth and transparency back to the briefing room" on her first day in office, saying she had a "deep respect for the role of a free and independent press." However, reporters are raising concerns -- less than two weeks into President Joe Biden's administration -- about White House staffers trying to coax them into giving their questions in advance before asking them at the press briefings.

As noted by Business Insider, asking journalists for their questions ahead of time "gives the impression" that the media is working with the federal government to grant officials time to "craft good answers" instead of being caught off guard during briefings.

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Mainstream media outlets have on occasions been accused of being left-leaning and less critical of Democrat administrations. According to a recent Fox News report, Psaki faced questions that were "easy" during her first press briefing, as compared to how fiercely the media had scrutinized former President Donald Trump's administration.

Reporters raised concerns about Psaki's team trying to obtain their questions ahead of time at a White House Correspondent's Association Zoom call last Friday, The Daily Beast reported. WHCA leaders subsequently advised reporters to reject or not respond to such requests, multiple sources told the outlet.

“While it’s a relief to see briefings return, particularly with a commitment to factual information, the press can't really do its job in the briefing room if the White House is picking and choosing the questions they want,” one White House correspondent said. “That's not really a free press at all.”

“It pissed off enough reporters for people to flag it for the [WHCA] for them to deal with it,” another knowledgeable source added.

The White House press team didn't deny the accusation while responding to The Daily Beast. However, it claimed this was routine work intended to make the briefings "as efficient as possible."

"Our goal is to make the daily briefing as useful and informative as possible for both reporters and the public. Part of meeting that objective means regularly engaging with the reporters who will be in the briefing room to understand how the White House can be most helpful in getting them the information they need," a White House spokesperson told The Daily Beast. "That two-way conversation is an important part of keeping the American people updated about how government is serving them."

Social media was inundated with reactions, with several poking fun at Biden's Press Secretary. "Questions in advance for mock presser? Having questions in advance would indeed be a good way to help insulate press secretary Jen Psaki (for whom liberals are already developing an unwholesome celebrity crush) from hard questions," one tweeted.

"This Biden Administration should have a pretty good idea of what questions will be asked if they have done their homework. It is not a free press to get questions in advance. Furthermore, how can they not have thorough answers for literally anything?????" another added. "Well If she gets the questions first they can make up lies in advance & Poor #JenPsaki won't have to be constantly circling back," a third quipped.