US President Joe Biden's press secretary has held her first news conference, seven hours after Biden's inauguration, vowing to bring truth and transparency back to government.
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Jen Psaki, who served as the chief spokeswoman at the State Department under former President Barack Obama, told reporters on Wednesday she had a "deep respect for the role of a free and independent press in our democracy".
Marking a contrast with former president Donald Trump and his top aides' treatment of what they called "the fake news media", Psaki pledged professional, civil exchange.
"There will be moments when we disagree, and there will certainly be days where we disagree for extensive parts of the briefing even, perhaps," she said. "But we have a common goal, which is sharing accurate information with the American people."
Biden plans to "bring transparency and truth back to the government to share the truth, even when it's hard to hear", she said.
The Trump administration took an openly combative tone with the news media.
Sean Spicer, who was Trump's first press secretary, set the tenor by claiming the audience at Trump's inauguration was the largest in history, despite photographic evidence to the contrary.
The Trump White House banned news organisations it viewed as too critical from briefings and moved to off-camera "gaggles" instead of daily televised news briefings.
Psaki said she expected to hold daily briefings on weekdays, and to make available health officials to explain efforts to get the COVID-19 pandemic under control.
During a virtual White House ceremony to swear in nearly 1000 federal appointees and staff who do not need Senate confirmation, Biden emphasised public service and respect.
"If you're ever working with me and I hear you treating another colleague with disrespect, talking down to someone, I will fire you on the spot," he warned.
Australian Associated Press
