#Tensions at PBS over Biden interview jockeying: report

During President Biden’s first year in office — in which he gave fewer news conferences and sat for fewer media interviews than any of his five immediate predecessors over the same period — friction developed at PBS over who should conduct the network’s questioning of the commander-in-chief.

According to a Tuesday report from Politico, an interview was granted to then-PBS White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor and scheduled to take place around July 4, when the While House was hoping to celebrate 100 million COVID-19 vaccinations in the US.

However, PBS anchor Judy Woodruff was also angling for a Biden interview and had a standing request in since the president took office.

Woodruff, host of the public broadcaster’s flagship daily “NewsHour” program, and several other members of the show’s staff were “miffed and frustrated” when they learned Alcindor was granted the interview for the Friday program “Washington Week,” three insiders told Politico. 

Woodruff was reportedly in the dark about both Alcindor’s request and that the White House was working with her colleague to organize the sit-down. 

The insiders said the jockeying caused tension between staff on the two shows, as “it was understood that PBS shows shouldn’t be competing with one another for a sit-down.” 

“PBS NewsHour” did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment. 

The interview with Alcindor did not end up happening after the White House backed out. Instead, the president answered questions from reporters July 2 following remarks on the June jobs report. 

In December, it was announced that Alcindor would be giving up her duties as PBS White House correspondent to join NBC News as a Washington correspondent. She is expected to start with the Peacock Network in March, but will continue to host “Washington Week” until then.

Inter-network tensions are not uncommon. Just last year, ABC News “This Week” and “Good Morning America” anchor George Stephanopoulos threatened to quit after “World News Tonight” frontman David Muir was promoted to the role of “chief anchor.”

The tensions appeared to settle after then-Disney executive chairman Bob Iger offered Stephanopoulos a larger opportunity on the production side. Stephanopoulos announced the formation of an in-house production company bearing his name in October. 

It is unclear if the tensions between Woodruff and Alcindor are still lingering. According to Politico, Woodruff appeared to downplay any animosity between the two on Friday, thanking her colleague for her work as a contributor to “NewsHour.” 

The White House has repeatedly defended the president’s lack of media appearances, citing smaller question-and-answer sessions that mostly take place after set-piece speeches by Biden or on the White House lawn. 

This week, the Associated Press reported that Biden has done 22 interviews with the media and held nine formal news conferences, while his immediate predecessor, former President Donald Trump, sat down for 92 interviews in his first year in office.