The Houston Chronicle's executive editor has announced that the newspaper will stop using Bloomberg News wire stories pertaining to the 2020 presidential campaign in light of the news service's decision to not investigate its owner or his Democratic presidential contenders.

Steve Riley said in an op-ed published on the Chronicle's website that Bloomberg News's "inexplicable decision" to "not cover its boss seriously" caused him to set the policy in the Chronicle's newsroom. The longtime journalist argued that it would mean "no serious journalism" about the 2020 campaign would derive from the organization.

The Washington Post first reported Tuesday that Riley sent a memo to editors directing them to use other sources when selecting wire stories for the newspaper.

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A Bloomberg News spokesperson declined to comment on The Chronicle's new policy to The Hill.

Riley elaborated on his decision on Thursday, writing that Bloomberg News's late November announcement about its new 2020 campaign reporting protocols made his "stomach rumble."

"Why would we use Bloomberg’s work involving presidential politics?" he asked, saying that he expected his directive to editors would be the end of it. Riley has also advised editors to carefully vet Bloomberg News's energy stories if they are related to the Trump administration.

Riley, who previously led an investigative unit at the newspaper, added that he felt compelled to expand on his move in light of the Post's reporting. He also opened up about the Chronicle's own work to address reader concerns about perceptions of bias.

Riley argued that it would be difficult to pin "an ideological tag" on the Chronicle's investigations in recent years. But he also recognized that bias can seep into reporters' work on issues including the city, region and state. And he noted that some readers have judged the newspaper "harshly" for simply selecting a story from The New York Times or Washington Post for its print product.

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"The key is that they, and we, often publish probing stories about the folks who are in charge, or who want to be in charge. Journalists should not choose targets based on their political affiliation," he wrote. "That’s why we won’t be publishing Bloomberg News’ work on the presidential campaign."

The comments from Riley show how at least one news organization is addressing Bloomberg News's unprecedented decision to dial back coverage in light of Bloomberg LP founder Michael Bloomberg Michael BloombergBloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida Democratic groups using Bloomberg money to launch M in Spanish language ads in Florida Bloomberg pays fines for 32,000 felons in Florida so they can vote MORE's entry into the 2020 presidential race.

Bloomberg News Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait said in a staff memo to more than 2,000 journalists in November that the news service would continue its tradition of not investigating Bloomberg and that it would extend the policy to 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. At the same time, Micklethwait said that the news outlet "will continue to investigate the Trump administration, as the government of the day."

Trump's reelection campaign responded by barring Bloomberg News journalists from receiving credentials for his rallies. Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale Bradley (Brad) James ParscaleMORE said the move was made because the news outlet had "declared their bias openly."

Bloomberg has adamantly defended the news organization's policy, saying during an interview earlier this month that reporters' paychecks come with "some restrictions and responsibilities."

“People have said to me, ‘How can you investigate yourself? And I said, ‘I don’t think you can,' " said Bloomberg, whose late bid for the presidency has sparked vehement criticism from progressive candidates Sens. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersTrump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Sanders tells Maher 'there will be a number of plans' to remove Trump if he loses Sirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE (D-Mass.). Many candidates have accused Bloomberg, a former New York City mayor who is worth more than $50 billion, of trying to buy the election.