Veteran reporter Bob Woodward sent a message directed to President Trump late Saturday: "The media is not fake news."

"The effort today to get this best obtainable version of the truth is largely made in good faith," Woodward said during remarks at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

"Mr. President, the media is not fake news."

Woodward said during his speech that any president and his administration is "clearly entitled to the most serious reporting efforts possible."

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"We need to understand, to listen, to dig — obviously our reporting needs to get both facts and tone right," he said.

"The press — especially the so-called mainstream media — comes under regular attack, particularly during presidential campaigns like this one and its aftermath."

Members of the media at times get things wrong, Woodward said.

"Like politicians and presidents, sometimes, perhaps too frequently, we make mistakes and go too far," he said.

"When that happens, we should own up to it."

The president has frequently referred to certain articles and networks as "fake news." He is a strong critic of the press, often blasting reporters and accusing them of biased or dishonest coverage against him.