The point is, Pompeo is not a defender of the media, but anti-media.

He uses information to throw shade instead of light, he trades in secrets instead of transparency. He asks journalists to serve his agenda as tools and scribes. He doesn’t want them to shine light in dark places. He can’t comprehend the journalist’s penchant to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. His eagerness to humiliate China during the novel coronavirus epidemic is deplorable. China is understandably preoccupied with containing, for its own sake and the sake of the world, a terrible contagion.

That he chooses to attack at a time of crisis like this speaks volumes about his character.
— Read on global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202002/22/WS5e508984a310128217279745.html