According to Fox News, Philadelphia's Black-owned radio station WURD has severed ties with host Andrea Lawful-Sanders following revelations that the White House provided her with predetermined questions for an interview with President Biden.
WURD, a prominent Black-owned radio station in Philadelphia, ended its relationship with Andrea Lawful-Sanders. The split followed her admission that the White House gave her pre-determined questions for an interview with President Biden on her show "The Source" last Wednesday.
WURD's president and CEO, Sara M. Lomax, announced on Sunday that Lawful-Sanders and the station had mutually agreed to part ways. Lomax emphasized that WURD is committed to being an independent media outlet and not a mouthpiece for any administration.
Lomax stated, "WURD Radio is not a mouthpiece for Biden or any other administration." She also pointed out that the use of pre-determined questions violated the station's practice of maintaining independence.
Lawful-Sanders had arranged the interview with Biden independently, without the knowledge or collaboration of WURD management. The interview, Biden's first since his recent debate, covered topics like his accomplishments, debate performance, and advice for voters.
The revelation has stirred discussions about media independence and integrity. CNN's Blackwell noted that the questions asked by Lawful-Sanders were similar to those used by another radio host, Earl Ingram, who also received pre-determined questions for his Biden interview.
Biden’s campaign spokesperson, Lauren Hitt, defended the practice, saying it's not uncommon for interviewees to share preferred topics. Hitt remarked:
It’s not at all an uncommon practice for interviewees to share topics they would prefer. These questions were relevant to news of the day - the president was asked about this debate performance as well as what he'd delivered for black Americans.
Lomax stressed the importance of accountability and trust with WURD's audience, built over 20 years. She mentioned that the station would review its policies to reinforce its commitment to independence.
The incident with WURD has broader implications for the media industry, highlighting the delicate balance between access and independence. The use of pre-approved questions, while not illegal, raises ethical questions about journalistic integrity.
Lawful-Sanders' show page was removed from WURD's website by Sunday afternoon, marking the end of her tenure with the station. This move was part of WURD's efforts to maintain its credibility and the trust of its listeners.
Despite the controversy, Biden's campaign continues to defend the practice, arguing that it ensures the relevance of the questions to current events. Hitt noted that the President has participated in unscripted interactions, providing ample opportunities for spontaneous questioning.
The fallout from this incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by media outlets in maintaining independence while gaining access to high-profile figures. WURD's actions reflect a commitment to these principles, even amid difficult decisions.
In conclusion, the separation between WURD and Andrea Lawful-Sanders following the pre-approval of interview questions by the White House has sparked significant discussion about media independence. The incident has led WURD to reinforce its policies and underscores the broader debate on journalistic ethics.
