Sanders, Acosta spar over Trump attacks on press

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and CNN reporter Jim Acosta clashed on Wednesday over President Trump’s treatment of the media.

Sanders was asked during Wednesday’s press briefing about a “Reporters Without Borders” report that said Trump’s rhetorical attacks on the media have denigrated press freedom in the U.S.

“I certainly would reject the idea that the president or this administration has halted freedom of the press,” Sanders said, claiming that the Trump administration has been one of the most accessible in decades.

{mosads}Acosta returned to the topic later, asking Sanders if she considers the Trump administration “a champion of a free press.” 

“We support a free press, but we also support a fair press, and I think that those things should go hand in hand,” Sanders said. “There’s a certain responsibility by the press to report accurate information.”

“Is there a responsibility on the part of the president?” Acosta interjected.

Sanders acknowledged that much of the media accurately reports information professionally, noting that her press briefings reflect the administration’s appreciation of the press’ role.

“That’s one of the reasons I’m standing here taking your questions, and a lot of times taking your questions in a tone that’s completely unnecessary, unneeded and frankly doesn’t help further the conversation,” she said. 

“The president’s tone toward the press obviously is not helpful at times and I think that’s plain to see,” Acosta responded.

Trump has had a combative relationship with the media since he entered the 2016 presidential race. He frequently attacks outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post and CNN, labeling them “fake news,” questioning their sources and deeming their reporting unfair.

Trump often takes media questions during meetings with foreign leaders and Cabinet members, or while boarding a helicopter outside the White House. But Trump hasn’t had a full press conference in more than a year — far below the number of press conferences held by previous presidents at this point in their term.