Multiple reporters denied G20 summit credentials by Treasury Department

Journalists for several major news outlets had their requests for credentials to cover a Group of 20 summit in Asheville, North Carolina, denied without explanation by the Treasury Department in August 2026.

Finance ministers, central bank governors and other senior officials from the world’s largest economies gathered from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 to discuss issues ranging from global market volatility and inflation to the U.S.-Iran war. Alan Rappeport of The New York Times and Matt Grossman of The Wall Street Journal had both sought credentials to cover the summit but were rebuffed, the Times reported.

According to Bloomberg News, its reporters based in the U.S., France, Italy, Japan and China were all denied credentials as well. It added that while German officials successfully lobbied for accreditation for Times reporter Jim Tankersley, they were unable to secure the same for a Bloomberg reporter traveling with German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil.

“I consider it unacceptable that journalists or entire news organizations are excluded. I have also made that clear, we have repeatedly made that clear in recent days,” Klingbeil told reporters on the second day of the summit. “I hope that there will be movement on this in the future.”

A Treasury Department spokesperson told the Times that it was welcoming “nearly 300 members of the media from approximately a dozen countries” and highlighted that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent would participate in numerous media engagements during the event.

“Members of the media will have a high level of access to policymakers throughout the event,” the spokesperson added, “and with that access comes a responsibility to report factual information consistent with established journalistic standards.”

While the department did not offer an explanation for the exclusion of reporters from the Times, Journal and Bloomberg, Bessent told The Associated Press “it has nothing to do with point of view.”

In a statement to the AP, the Times said that the refusal was “not just another disturbing effort by the administration to undermine independent journalism, but a blatant attempt to evade public scrutiny.”

“Excluding specific reporters and entire news organizations is a disservice to the public and an assault on press freedoms that we strongly condemn,” it continued.

A spokesperson for Bloomberg similarly condemned the denials, telling the news outlet that it “undermines media freedom and public accountability.”

“We will continue to advocate for full press access while reporting fairly and accurately on proceedings,” the spokesperson added.