Biden campaign controversy shakes WURD Radio

Sara M. Lomax, President and CEO of WURD Radio in Philadelphia, has spoken out about a recent controversy involving a former host and President Joe Biden’s campaign.

“It’s just that if the White House is trying now to prove the vim, vigor, acuity of the president, I don’t know how they do that by sending questions first, before the interviews, so that the president knows what’s coming.” https://t.co/ZwdFCG9mDD

— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) July 6, 2024

The incident occurred when it was revealed that the Biden campaign had provided a list of questions for the host to ask during an interview.

The press corps regularly gets asked by this WH to share top of mind topics ahead of pressers/briefings. Not hard to imagine what preferred topics shared by a presidential campaigns can feel like to those in other markets who really want the interview https://t.co/JWPs1CZm9r

— Katie Rogers (@katierogers) July 6, 2024

Lomax addressed the situation on air, stating that the host had received eight predetermined questions from the Biden campaign and selected four to ask. She suggested that this practice undermines the integrity of journalism by effectively scripting the interview. The Biden campaign defended its actions, saying that suggesting topics is a common practice. However, they agreed to stop providing specific questions in the future.

Steven Horsford, who chairs the CBC and invited Biden to speak with his group tonight, is all-in on Biden

“I listened to my constituents during the district work period. I'm not going to judge the president on a 90-minute debate” pic.twitter.com/u2zsZIPogS

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) July 9, 2024

The controversy came to light when the host shared that she had worked with Biden’s team on the topics for discussion. She said she could edit, add, or ignore their suggested questions.

Biden questions spark journalistic debate.

Lomax clarified that the host willingly resigned from WURD, contrary to some reports that she was fired. Lomax praised the host for her dedication and contributions since joining the station in 2019. According to Lomax, by directly contacting the host, Biden’s campaign bypassed the station’s established interview protocols. They did not go through the station’s general manager, Ashanti Martin. Lomax described this move as an intentional “fast one” by the Biden team, causing significant internal turmoil. The incident highlights broader concerns within the Democratic Party, which Lomax described as being in “chaos.” She emphasized the importance of Black media and criticized the party for its disarray. She warned that failure to unify could negatively affect key community issues. Solomon Jones, a regular host on WURD and an opinion columnist, echoed the sentiment that scripted questions compromise journalistic integrity. He reiterated that while it is normal for campaigns to suggest topics, journalists should not adhere to scripts provided by public officials. This ensures accountability and transparency in media practices.