Biden greets, fist-punching media members on their way to the White House

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President Biden greeted members of the press on their way to the White House on Wednesday, exchanging fist bumps with some in notable contrast to former President TrumpDonald TrumpLil Wayne Gets Pardoned From Trump For 11th Hour Trump Grants Clemency To Over 100 People Including Bannon Trump Expected To Pardon Bannon: Reports MOREcontentious relationship with the media.

The newly inaugurated president was filmed offering a fist bump to NBC’s ‘Today’ personality Al Roker and reportedly telling other members of the press, ‘keep doing what you’re doing’.

The president’s comments to the press follow on from a pastor who regularly ranted against the media, attacking them as “the enemy of the people.”

Those in the media industry were sharply critical of such rhetoric, especially after countless journalists and photographers were caught in the lockdown imposed during the deadly January 6 riots in the Capitol.

Members of the media have also criticized previous governments for lack of transparency and access to the press, something they hope the new administration can change.

This week, in a letter to Biden, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) asked him to revoke the rules begun under Obama and they said they had deteriorated under Trump and restrict which agencies can speak to the press.

SPJ believes the country is suffering the consequences of these controls during the COVID-19 pandemic. Agencies the public is counting on, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, have hindered reporting for years, ”the letter said. “Often times, the press is not allowed in their facilities and journalists are not allowed to contact staff without the supervision of the authorities; in reality, reporters are often not allowed to speak to anyone. “

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