A review of Mayor de Blasio’s public schedule has found that more than 20 percent of his events were closed to the press.
Media were barred from 53 events and had limited access to 30 others, The Associated Press found.
“I believe deeply in transparency,” the mayor said Tuesday when asked about the record. He added that transparency “by definition, it’s in the eye of the beholder.”
He blamed the sponsors of some of his speeches for the press bans.
“Oftentimes, the choice would be, if you want to be a part of the event and that’s their plan, you have to either come and accept that ground rule or not come at all,” he said.
As public advocate, de Blasio talked up the importance of open government.