Fox News reported that former President Barack Obama recently issued a statement in which he declared his support for freedom of the press.

However, some of Obama's critics expressed shock over the former president's words given his record. 

Obama hails reporters for being "on the frontlines of struggles for democracy"

The president made his remarks in a video which was posted to Twitter earlier this week in honor of World Press Freedom Day.

Journalists have always been on the front lines of the struggle for democracy. That’s why we need to keep standing up for the rights of journalists around the world. Grateful that we have @ColumbiaJourn and people like Jelani Cobb taking on this important work. https://t.co/XEPoe17DCG

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 3, 2023

"Journalists have always been on the frontlines of struggles for democracy, and some of you have the scars to prove it. And that’s why it’s so important to find creative ways to reinvigorate quality journalism," Obama declared.

"It’s why we need to keep standing up for the rights of journalists around the world, many of whom are facing increasing threats and challenges just trying to do their jobs," he continued.

The former president says that "truth matters"

The former president pledged that he will "keep shining a light on the biggest challenges that democracy faces, that includes revitalizing our political institutions, coming up with more inclusive and sustainable models of capitalism, creating a stronger democratic culture."

"But it also means creating an information environment that reinforces rather than erodes our democracy, one in which truth matters, one in which we are able to distinguish between fact and opinion," Obama insisted.

Those remarks were not well received by everyone, with one person tweeting, "Is that why your administration wiretapped and harassed journalists James Rosen and Sharyl [Attkisson]? Spare us your pontificating."

Is that why your administration wiretapped and harassed journalists James Rosen and Sharyl Atkisson? Spare us your pontificating. 🙄

— McNibbles (@ONaeglaria) May 3, 2023

Obama DOJ spied on Fox News reporter

Rosen previously worked as chief Washington correspondent for Fox News, and The Washington Post reported in 2013 that he was subjected to surveillance by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of an effort to uncover leaks.

Meanwhile, Fox News reported in 2015 that CBS News journalist Sharyl Attkisson discovered that her electronic devices had been hacked following a forensic investigation by her network.

Fox News noted that the DOJ put out a statement saying it "has never compromised Ms. Attkisson’s computers, or otherwise sought any information from or concerning any telephone, computer, or other media device she may own or use."