WASHINGTON — Recent disclosures by two radio hosts have ignited controversy after revealing that President Joe Biden’s campaign provided them with suggested questions ahead of interviews, a departure from established journalistic norms.

Andrea Lawful-Sanders, host of WURD’s “The Source” in Philadelphia, disclosed in a CNN interview that she received a set of questions for approval before her interview with President Biden. "The questions were sent to me for approval. I got several questions. Eight of them," Lawful-Sanders told CNN anchor Victor Blackwell. She noted that she approved four questions, which were subsequently used in the interview.

Earl Ingram, another host who interviewed Biden on WAUK, did not dispute Lawful-Sanders’ account during the CNN panel discussion. He later confirmed to ABC News that he also received questions for the interview.

The Biden campaign faced swift criticism following these disclosures. A source familiar with the president’s booking operation told NBC News that while interview hosts have the liberty to ask any questions they choose, the campaign and White House would refrain from suggesting questions in the future.

In response to the fallout, WURD Radio’s CEO Sara M. Lomax announced that the station and Lawful-Sanders had mutually agreed to part ways immediately. Lomax emphasized that using pre-approved questions provided by the White House violated the station’s commitment to independent journalism.

During Biden’s interview with Ingram, which aired on Thursday, the president candidly acknowledged his shortcomings during a recent debate, admitting, “I had a bad night. I screwed up, I made a mistake.” He contrasted this performance with his extensive experience in office, spanning over three and a half years.

Despite the controversy, Biden’s campaign defended its actions, with spokesperson Lauren Hitt stating that it is not uncommon for interviewees to discuss preferred topics in advance. Hitt highlighted Biden’s subsequent unscripted appearances, including press gaggles and an ABC News interview, as evidence that the president engages openly with the public.

The debate over the handling of interview questions has raised broader questions about Biden’s ability to respond spontaneously and effectively under pressure. Critics have pointed to these incidents as indicative of scripted interactions that may not fully reflect the president’s capacity for unscripted dialogue.

As the Biden administration navigates these challenges, scrutiny over media relations and communication strategies remains heightened. The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between transparency and controlled messaging in political discourse, particularly in the digital age where public scrutiny is immediate and pervasive.