White House Alters Media Access Drawing Criticism

The White House has introduced a selective media access system, shifting control over which outlets can cover President Donald Trump in specific settings. This move limits the traditional role of major newswires like the Associated Press (AP), Reuters, and Bloomberg, which have historically provided global coverage of presidential events.

Newsmax and Blaze Media Included in Pool

For Wednesday’s event, the White House included Newsmax and Blaze Media in the press pool, breaking from tradition. Axios represented print media, replacing HuffPost in the print outlet rotation. Bloomberg News was chosen as the wire service for the inaugural day. This change marks a shift in the usual press selection process.

The Three Major Agencies Express Concerns

In response, leaders of the three major news agencies released a joint statement criticizing the decision. They emphasized ensuring accurate, fair, and timely information reaches a broad audience. The statement warned that limiting wire services’ access to the president undermines democracy. They called for maintaining broad access to information for the public.

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WHCA Warns Against Government Control Over Press Access

The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), which has historically managed press pool selections, also voiced concerns. WHCA president Eugene Daniels stated that the decision implies government control over which journalists cover the president, which threatens the independence of the press in the U.S.

Press Secretary Defends the Pool System

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the new system, emphasizing that the selection would include both legacy outlets and new ones, ensuring diversity while maintaining a rotation of at least one print, one radio, and one major TV outlet. However, the specifics of the selection process remain unclear.

Legal Background and Court’s Involvement

This new media access system follows a federal court hearing where the AP sought to block its exclusion from the press pool. The court denied the request but warned that excluding the AP might be legally challenged. The White House’s control over the pool may help avoid such legal hurdles.

Dispute Over “Gulf of Mexico” Term

The controversy between the White House and the AP dates back to the Trump administration’s directive to adopt the term “Gulf of America,” which the AP refused to follow due to its long-standing style guide that uses “Gulf of Mexico.” This dispute has contributed to the AP’s exclusion from pool events.