Chris Wallace 'horrified' by CNN's Acosta's conduct: 'It's not our job to one-up presidents'

Chris WallaceChristopher (Chris) WallaceGovernors, health experts warn coronavirus restrictions must stay in place Public health expert: 'We are still at the very beginning of this outbreak' Mnuchin: US will bounce back after we 'kill this virus' and 'reopen this economy' MORE ripped Jim AcostaJames (Jim) AcostaDire projections put new focus on Trump coronavirus response Judge rules lawsuit alleging Trump threatened free press can move forward Sean Spicer takes seat at White House press briefing MORE over a heated exchange the CNN chief White House correspondent had with President TrumpDonald John TrumpMilitary personnel to handle coronavirus patients at facilities in NYC, New Orleans and Dallas Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort has total of 20 patients: report Fauci says that all states should have stay-at-home orders MORE during a press conference in India on Tuesday, saying Acosta made a "huge mistake" that "adds to the people questioning the credibility of the media."

"I was horrified by [Acosta]," Wallace said at a Columbia University event in New York City hosted by the Common Ground Committee on Tuesday night. "It’s not our job to get in fights with presidents. It’s not our job to one-up presidents. It’s our job to report on presidents."

"But to the degree we have responded to his attacks on us with attacks or advocacy in kind, there’s a huge mistake, and I think adds to people questioning the credibility of the media," the "Fox News Sunday" host said.

Acosta told Trump during a press conference in New Delhi that CNN's "record on delivering the truth is a lot better" than his "sometimes" after the president broached the topic of a recent report on Russia's election interference that CNN later walked back.

"I worry that the president’s attacks have given too many straight news reporters — not talking about the opinion page or prime time — an excuse or license to cross the line themselves and become players on the field, and I think that is a huge mistake," Wallace said. "It’s not our role. Our role is to be observers, umpires, fact-checkers, investigators — it’s not to be advocates. It’s not to be opponents."

Wallace was appearing with New York Times reporter Maggie HabermanMaggie Lindsy HabermanThe Hill's 12:30 Report: Task force pushed Trump to extend coronavirus guidelines New York Times defends reporter after Trump swipe: Her 'reporting has stood the test of time' Sacrificing American lives on the altar of the Dow Jones MORE, also a CNN contributor, who said she agreed with Wallace on the media's role.