Washington Free Beacon senior writer Adam Kredo derided the press on Tuesday for "crying" about not getting a "free flight" with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during his trip to Asia.
Kredo told "The Daily Ledger" host Graham Ledger that mainstream media outlets could buy tickets for their journalists and that he had to buy his own tickets when reporting on former President Barack Obama's administration.
"I don't think the government is under any obligation to give a free trip to reporters," Kredo said.
"The issue should be on more of the substance than people crying in the press that they didn't get a free flight," he added.
He added that an overwhelming media presence would undermine the Secretary of State's diplomatic efforts, citing former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Asia.
"Hillary Clinton's first trip to Asia turned into really a media circus," Kredo said. "I think that only interferes with diplomacy."
Kredo also suggested that a diplomat like Tillerson, who wanted to "talk business," would likely reassure allies.