NEW YORK (FN) — Mayor Eric Adams has come under fire after threatening to bar Daily News senior City Hall reporter Chris Sommerfeldt from future press conferences for attempting to ask a clarifying question without being called on.
The incident occurred during Adams’ weekly briefing Tuesday, when Sommerfeldt interjected to ask about the mayor’s ballot line in the upcoming election. Adams had just stated he was running on both the “affordable and safe” and “antisemitism” lines when Sommerfeldt asked, “If you can only pick one…”
“You’re calling out a lot, Chris, stop calling out! You must have done that in school,” Adams said in a sing-song tone. He then turned to his press staff and added, “If he does that again, he’s not to come into our conferences.” Addressing Sommerfeldt directly, Adams said, “You’re going to stop at the gate.
Though Sommerfeldt remained in the room for the rest of the briefing, he was not allowed to ask further questions. The mayor’s office has not confirmed whether the ban will be enforced going forward.
The Daily News Union swiftly condemned the mayor’s remarks in an open letter and social media posts, calling the threat “a flagrant disregard for the role of the press.” Executive Editor Andrew Julien added, “Our reporters have the right to ask questions, and taxpayers aren’t funding the police to keep reporters out of City Hall press conferences.”
Other journalists and press freedom advocates have also weighed in. The New York Press Club issued a statement saying, “Barring a reporter for doing their job is not only undemocratic — it’s dangerous.” PEN America called the threat “an affront to journalistic integrity and transparency.”
Sommerfeldt has reportedly not been called on by Adams’ staff in over three months, raising further concerns about selective access and control over media engagement.
Adams has faced mounting criticism for his tightly managed press events, where off-topic questions are banned except during one designated weekly session. Even then, outlets are often ignored for the duration of the hourlong briefing.
The controversy adds to growing tensions between City Hall and the press corps, with calls for Adams to clarify his stance and reaffirm his commitment to open government.
