Obama reflects at final media conference

SBS World News Radio: Barack Obama has held his last press conference as US President, addressing topics ranging from press freedom to immigration, and offering some pointed messages for his successor.

Obama reflects at final media conference

Obama reflects at final media conference Source: AAP

United States President Barack Obama had some parting words for the press at his last media conference in the role.

He spoke about the importance of press freedom, amid concerns it may be curbed by Donald Trump.

Mr Trump last week refused to take questions from a CNN reporter, describing his content as "fake news".

Mr Obama said while he has not always agreed with what is written about him, an independent press is important to a healthy democracy.

"You're not supposed to be sycophants. You're supposed to be sceptics. You're supposed to ask me tough questions. You're not supposed to be complimentary - but you're supposed to cast a critical eye on folks who hold enormous power. And make sure that we are accountable to the people who sent us here. And you have done that."

Mr Obama talked about the United States' relationship with Russia, saying it had deteriorated as a response to Russia's actions in Crimea.

"The reason we imposed the sanctions, remember, was not because of nuclear weapons issues. It was because the independence and sovereignty of a country - Ukraine - had been encroached upon by force, by Russia. That wasn't our judgement. That was the judgement of the entire international community."

He defended his decision to commute the sentence of Wikileaks whistleblower Chelsea Manning in one of his final acts as President.

Ms Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison for leaking diplomatic cables, in one of the largest breaches of classified material in US history.

"The sentence that she received was very disproportionate relative to what other leakers had received, and that she had served a significant amount of time, that it made sense to commute, and not pardon, her sentence. And I feel very comfortable that justice has been served and that a message has still been sent."

The outgoing President says he expects Mr Trump will follow his own vision for the US, a vision quite different to Mr Obama's.

But he said some of Mr Trump's positions may be moderated by the people around him, warning that ignoring the views of his advisors would be a mistake.

"I think a lot of his views are going to be shaped by his advisers, the people around him. I can tell you that - and this is something I have told him - that this is a job of such magnitude that you can't do it by yourself. "

Mr Obama also reiterated his views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying he believes a two-state solution is the only path to peace.

And Mr Obama vowed he will continue to speak out against what he calls "systematic discrimination"; for example, suppressions on press freedom or the deportation of immigrant children.

He said his priorities over the next year are to write a book and spend more time with his family.

 

 


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Published 19 January 2017 11:00am
Updated 20 January 2017 6:25am
By Brianna Roberts

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