‘Journalism No-No’: Milwaukee Radio Edits Biden Interview at Campaign’s Request

A Milwaukee radio station on Thursday acknowledged it edited two clips of its taped interview with President Joe Biden at his campaign’s request before airing it last week.

"Immediately after the phone interview was recorded, the Biden campaign called and asked for two edits to the recording before it aired," the station’s owner, Civic Media, said in a Thursday statement.

"Given the gravity of the current political moment, the stakes in this election, and the importance of public scrutiny of public officials in the highest office, we believe it is important to share this information," the company added.

The interview, which aired on July 4, was part of the Biden campaign’s effort to keep the lid on a revolt among the rank-and-file following the octogenarian’s disastrous debate performance against presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump on June 27.

In one of the clips cut out from Biden’s interview with WAUK-AM host Earl Ingram, the 81-year-old incumbent made the false claim that he "[has] more Blacks in my administration than any other president, all other presidents combined, and in major positions, cabinet positions."

In the other clip, Biden referenced Trump’s call for the death penalty for the Central Park Five. "I don’t know if they even call for their hanging or not, but he—but they said … convicted of murder," Biden said.

"This is a big journalism no-no, editing out an answer because the politician and his campaign didn’t like it or they didn't like the way he came across," CNN anchor Jake Tapper said.

The Biden campaign admitted it had requested the station to edit the interview but said that "hosts have always been free to ask the questions and air the segments they think will best inform their listeners."

Radio host Andrea Lawful-Sanders earlier this week parted ways with Philadelphia's WURD Radio after admitting her post-debate interview with Biden featured "pre-determined questions provided by the White House."

Since the debate, over a dozen House Democrats and one Senate Democrat have demanded Biden exit the presidential race. Other prominent Democrats, including former House speaker Nancy Pelosi, actor George Clooney, and ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos have also signaled Biden should step aside.

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