Staff Reports
Philadelphia radio station WURD made a bold move as they decided to cut ties with host Andrea Lawful-Sanders after she admitted to seeking approval for interview questions from President Joe Biden’s campaign prior to a recent broadcast. Sara M. Lomax, the President and CEO of WURD Radio, emphasized that the use of pre-approved questions went against their values of being an independent media outlet, maintaining that the interview arrangement was solely orchestrated by Lawful-Sanders without involving the station’s management.
The controversy arose from Lawful-Sanders using predetermined questions provided by the White House during a post-debate interview with President Biden on July 3. Despite her collaboration with the Biden campaign on the questions, WURD Radio deemed it unacceptable behavior for a host to operate in such a manner, leading to the mutual decision to part ways with Lawful-Sanders.
Radio Station Cuts Ties With Host Who Fed Biden Pre-Screened Questions In Interview https://t.co/RvyDlYYibj via @dailycaller
— Norman Firebaugh (@FirebaughNorman) July 8, 2024
Lomax made it clear that WURD Radio stands firm in its independence and commitment to asking tough and relevant questions on behalf of its audience, particularly the Black community in Philadelphia. The incident served as a reminder of the station’s dedication to upholding journalistic integrity and serving as a platform for authentic and unfiltered dialogue with public figures.
This development sheds light on the issue of media integrity and the importance of maintaining a critical stance towards political figures, irrespective of party affiliations. The decision by WURD Radio to sever ties with Lawful-Sanders underscores the significance of journalistic autonomy and unbiased reporting in a landscape marred by political influence and pre-set narratives.
