US Treasury Department denies journalists accreditation for G20 meetings
Bloomberg News and the New York Times criticize the exclusion of their reporters as an attack on media freedom.
Quick Look
- The US Treasury Department has denied accreditation to numerous journalists from Bloomberg News and the New York Times for a G20 meeting in North Carolina.
- The affected media companies criticize this as an attempt to undermine independent reporting.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
US President Donald Trump has had a confrontational relationship with critical media companies since the beginning of his second term in office. He has already taken legal action against press organs on several occasions.
As G20 host, the Ministry of Finance regulates access to the two-day discussions in the US state of North Carolina.
This is how Bloomberg News and the New York Times react
A statement from Bloomberg News said the agency's accreditation applications had been rejected by "numerous" journalists, including some based in Europe and Asia. Denying access "undermines media freedom and public accountability," it said. And: "We will continue to advocate for unrestricted access for the press while reporting fairly and accurately on the events."
The New York Times reported that the newspaper's reporters who had been reporting on such meetings for years had been excluded. The newspaper's Berlin correspondent, Jim Tankersley, is allowed to report from the summit.
A statement from the newspaper said the denial of accreditation was "not only another disturbing attempt by the government to undermine independent journalism," but also an attempt to "evade public scrutiny." The meeting will focus, among other things, on the Iran war, sanctions and inflation; That's why it is "of great importance for the global economy and the American population."
There has been no reaction from the Wall Street Journal so far.
The Ministry of Finance announced that almost 300 media representatives from around a dozen countries were expected at the meeting. They have access to decision-makers, and with that comes the responsibility to “distribute factual information in accordance with established journalistic standards.”
Since the beginning of his second term in office, US President Donald Trump has been waging a campaign against media companies that he classifies as too critical or "left-wing." Among other things, he sued the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times and ordered cuts in government subsidies for public broadcasters.
At press conferences, he often engages in verbal battles with journalists who make him uncomfortable and regularly insults them. Just on Sunday, Trump accused NBC reporter Kristen Welker of inaccurate reporting and demanded that she be "reprimanded or punished."
Open Questions
- What specific criteria led to the rejection of the accreditations?
- Will other media companies be excluded from future summits?
