MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Who is Simon Ateba? KJP and journos gang up on reporter who dared to disrupt 'Ted Lasso' gladhand

'You're making a mockery of the First Amendment. It's been seven months and you have not called on me,' Simon Ateba said

WASHINGTON DC: An unruly reporter yelled at Karine Jean-Pierre for not answering his questions, causing the White House press conference with the 'Ted Lasso' cast turned into a shouting match before it even started on Monday, March 20. Today News Africa correspondent Simon Ateba began shouting at President Biden's press secretary just when Jason Sudeikis was about to talk about mental health with his award-winning show co-stars.

"You're making a mockery of the First Amendment ... It's been seven months and you have not called on me," the reporter addressed Biden's press secretary as the whole group looked slightly confused. He yelled, "You've been discriminating against me and discriminating against some people in the briefing," as Sudeikis, other press personnel, and the cast of the AppleTV+ show watched.

READ MORE

‘No it's Bloomingdales’: Karine Jean-Pierre mocked for calling Russian Nord Stream 1 pipeline 'Nordstrom'

Karine Jean-Pierre slammed for saying AIPAC conference 'severely racist', despite Dem prez attendance

Who is Simon Ateba?

Ateba serves as Today News Africa's Chief White House correspondent. He covers stories on Biden, Vice-President Kamala Harris, the government, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank among other financial and international institutions in Washington DC and New York City, as per Wikitia.

Ateba was born in Cameroon, Central Africa, and subsequently moved to Nigeria, where he worked for The News Magazine, one of Nigeria's most iconic political publications, for nine years. After becoming Today News Africa's Chief White House Correspondent In December 2021, Ateba has argued frequently with the former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki over Joe Biden's Omicron-linked travel ban imposed on eight African countries.

What else did Simon Ateba say?

"This is not China, this is not Russia," Ateba continued, as reporters intervened, complaining about his behavior. Jean-Pierre had previously chastised Ateba, but this time journalists in the room demanded that he be silent so that the day's event, the only on-the-record interaction with top White House officials, could get started, per the Daily Mail. "You are impinging on everybody in here who's only trying to do their job," reporter Brian Karem stated and another correspondent claimed, "The rest of us are here too, pal." Ateba erupted even before Jean-Pierre or the famous people she had lined up behind her had an opportunity to speak.

'Tough gig on both sides'

After everything was said and done, when asked about the turmoil in the briefing room, Sudeikis responded, "Tough gig on both sides. I get it. High stakes," as per Daily Mail. Jean-Pierre attempted to talk over Ateba, who had previously stopped her numerous times. "No. No. No. No. No, We're not doing this," she said, adding, "We're not doing this." She jokingly said, "Welcome to the press briefing room," turning to Sudeikis, adding, "Are we ready?" After a lengthy silence, Jean-Pierre asked, "Are we going to behave?" after the fighting had subsided 

'The American people want you to be fair to everybody'

Ateba attempted to intervene another time as John Kirby, the spokesperson for the National Security Council, went onstage to speak about the meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. An AP correspondent later apologized on behalf of the media, assuring Jean-Pierre, "This isn't about us," during the briefing. Ateba uttered loud words once more, but this time he did not scream. "The American people want you to be fair to everybody," he said. Jean-Pierre reminded the media to honor one another in the briefing room. "What I will not appreciate is disrespecting your colleagues and disrespecting guests who are here to talk about an incredibly important issue, which is mental health. What has just occurred this last 10 or 15 minutes is unacceptable," she stated.

'I do what I should do'

Later, Ateba took to Twitter and said, "I am not a fool who goes to the briefing room to yell a question. I wait for months, I seek to meet, I send emails. I do what I should do. I wait for seven months." Many supported him with a user tweeting, "“Tenacity--the quality or fact of being very determinedl” (for free speexh)—you are admired for this sir." Another user said, "Thank you Simon for doing the right thing. Truth will always prevail." Another person wrote,"You're fighting the good fight." "Real questions are not allowed during make-believe story time," said another user. "Ur 100% Right. To ask ur Question," said another user.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.