Philadelphia-based radio host Andrea Lawful-Sanders was terminated after using scripted questions from the Biden White House during a pre-recorded interview with President Joe Biden.

Andrea Lawful-Sanders, a black radio host at WURD, faced immediate dismissal following revelations that the Biden White House had scripted her questions for an interview with the President, The Gateway Pundit reported.

The pre-recorded interview with President Biden aired last Thursday, following a problematic debate where Biden needed to clarify his campaign strategy.

Unexpected Statements During the Interview

During the interview, President Biden made a peculiar claim, stating he was proud to be "the first black woman" to serve alongside a black president. This remark was part of the scripted conversation highlighting his political career and experiences.

Andrea Lawful-Sanders later confirmed to CNN that she had received eight questions from the White House, from which she chose four to include in the interview.

Radio Station Reacts to Scripted Interview

Lawful-Sanders organized the interview independently, without the prior knowledge or consent of WURD management, which contradicts the station's practices as an independent media outlet.

WURD Radio, a black-owned station in Philadelphia, emphasized its commitment to independent journalism and the trust of its audience. They stated that engaging in practices like pre-determined questions jeopardizes their credibility.

Station Issues Official Statement

In an official statement released Sunday, WURD Radio announced the immediate termination of Lawful-Sanders' employment. They clarified that the interview arrangement violated the station's policies on journalistic independence.

"On July 3, the first post-debate interview with President Joe Biden was arranged and negotiated independently by WURD Radio host Andrea Lawful-Sanders without knowledge, consultation, or collaboration with WURD management," the statement read.

Reaffirming Commitment to Independence

WURD's statement further noted, "This incident violates our practice of remaining an independent media outlet accountable to our listeners. As a result, Ms. Lawful-Sanders and WURD Radio have mutually agreed to part ways, effective immediately."

The radio station reiterated its stance on maintaining journalistic integrity and not endorsing pre-determined questions as a part of its official policy or practice.

Radio Host Reflects on the Incident

Reflecting on the controversy, Lawful-Sanders expressed her concerns about the interview setup. "If the White House is trying now to prove the vim, vigor, acuity of the President, I don't know how they do that by sending questions before the interview so that the President knows what's coming," she told CNN.

Community Reaction and Broader Implications

The firing of Lawful Sanders has sparked discussions on the ethics of journalistic practices, particularly in political interviews. It raises questions about balancing access to high-profile individuals and preserving journalistic integrity.

WURD Radio, by taking a stand against pre-scripted interviews, reaffirms its role as an independent entity that holds elected officials accountable, crucial for maintaining public trust.

This event underscores media outlets' challenges in navigating relationships with political entities, significantly when the allure of access to high-profile figures can compromise independence.