Thread by @digiphile

+💯@brianstelter for calling out @potus @vp @presssec for not holding press conferences & avoiding questions. Public servants are accountable to the public. Regular press briefings are part of the transparency that arms us with the info essential to self-governance in a democracy

Today, @JimVandeHei told @ReliableSources about how @axios governs the speech of its staff on social media & TV: they can’t “pop off” on Twitter, or tell @BrianStelter about their views.

Was this the apotheosis of the “view from nowhere” on a Sunday morning show, @jayrosen_nyu?

The behavior of members of media is irrelevant to the obligation of the officials.
In a healthy democracy, press conferences are not a privilege or treat to be doled out at the discretion of those in power to favored reporters.
This isn't like state TV in an authoritarian regime.

Regular press conferences show a commitment to the transparency & accountability the American people expect of a @POTUS, Speaker, @SenateMajLdr, @Cabinet members, @TheJointStaff – or governors, mayors, police chiefs, & other state & local officials who all serve & protect us.

The way presidential candidates treat the press in a campaign suggests how they will govern.
The way a PEOTUS or @POTUS does so after election & in office shows us.
Trump didn't hold a presser for WEEKS after election:

https://twitter.com/digiphile/status/819185688860065792

Never disclosed or divested, either.

While it is understandable why a President full of narcissistic rage that is lying about fraud & grasping at any legal or extra-legal strategy to hold power in a soft coup would not hold a presser, it is notable that a @POTUS has not done so after losing.
presidency.ucsb.edu/statistics/dat…

@POTUS PEOTUS @JoeBiden & VPEOTUS @KamalaHarris need to set a stark contrast between @Transition46 & @Transition2017 on transparency & accountability now, & to the Trump @WhiteHouse in 59 days, from ethics to accessibility. First principles: sunlightfoundation.com/2016/08/30/pri…