A White House correspondent has accused the Biden administration of deliberately omitting a contentious interaction with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre from the official live stream of a recent press briefing. Simon Ateba, who reports for Today News Africa, voiced his concerns to Fox News Digital, alleging discrimination and a pattern of being sidelined by the White House press team.

The disputed exchange, later reinstated after Fox News' inquiry, involved Ateba questioning Jean-Pierre about his perceived exclusion from briefings and events. Jean-Pierre characterized Ateba's conduct as "incredibly rude" and threatened to terminate the briefing if interruptions persisted. Ateba countered, asserting his right to pose questions and accusing the administration of stifling press freedom.

The White House attributed the missing footage to a technical glitch with the live stream encoder. However, Ateba expressed skepticism about this explanation, suggesting a deliberate attempt to suppress the exchange. He detailed a history of being ignored in briefings, having his emails unanswered, and being excluded from White House events. Ateba argued that his persistent questioning, intended to hold those in power accountable, has led to his marginalization.

He further criticized the Biden administration's claims of strengthening ties with Africa while simultaneously sidelining an African reporter in the White House briefing room, calling the discrepancy "offensive" and "shocking." Ateba emphasized his commitment to his role as a journalist, highlighting the importance of holding power accountable and fostering stronger U.S.-Africa relations.