In a significant policy change, the White House, led by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, asserts new control over the press pool covering presidential events, a decision met with criticism from traditional media associations and calls for concern regarding press independence.
White House Regains Control Over Press Pool Covering Presidential Events
White House Regains Control Over Press Pool Covering Presidential Events
The White House announces a shift in determining which news outlets report on President Trump, raising concerns amongst journalists.
The White House has made a headline-grabbing move by reclaiming the right to determine which news outlets have access to cover President Donald Trump, a shift that takes the reins from the long-established White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA), which has been in place for over a century. This announcement, made by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a Tuesday briefing, indicates a new era of control over the "pool" of reporters covering presidential activities.
Under the previous system, the WHCA was responsible for the rotation of pool reporters, which included journalists from major news organizations sharing coverage responsibilities for events. The WHCA has publicly criticized this change, stating that it undermines the independence of the press and could favor media outlets perceived as sympathetic to the White House.
Leavitt's announcement follows ongoing disputes over press access, particularly concerning the Associated Press, which has faced restrictions on its reporting access billed as retaliatory. The White House press secretary emphasized that the new strategy would also allow for representation from "new media" formats, such as streaming services and podcasts, aiming to broaden the diversity of voices covering the presidency.
She insisted that while legacy media would still have a role, this system would serve to "restore power back to the American people." Historically, the WHCA has been responsible for logistical support around the president's media coverage, with their presence ensuring a timely dissemination of information.
The WHCA expressed the belief that the new arrangement may make it easier for the White House to dictate the narrative by favoring news outlets that align with their viewpoints. In response, WHCA board member Jacqui Heinrich condemned the decision on social media, arguing that this does not enhance public access but rather grants more control to the administration.
President Trump subsequently endorsed the changes, affirming that the White House will have the final say in press access decisions. This comes at a time when multiple media voices, such as the Associated Press, continue to seek restored access amidst ongoing legal disputes and accusations of press freedom violations.
Under the previous system, the WHCA was responsible for the rotation of pool reporters, which included journalists from major news organizations sharing coverage responsibilities for events. The WHCA has publicly criticized this change, stating that it undermines the independence of the press and could favor media outlets perceived as sympathetic to the White House.
Leavitt's announcement follows ongoing disputes over press access, particularly concerning the Associated Press, which has faced restrictions on its reporting access billed as retaliatory. The White House press secretary emphasized that the new strategy would also allow for representation from "new media" formats, such as streaming services and podcasts, aiming to broaden the diversity of voices covering the presidency.
She insisted that while legacy media would still have a role, this system would serve to "restore power back to the American people." Historically, the WHCA has been responsible for logistical support around the president's media coverage, with their presence ensuring a timely dissemination of information.
The WHCA expressed the belief that the new arrangement may make it easier for the White House to dictate the narrative by favoring news outlets that align with their viewpoints. In response, WHCA board member Jacqui Heinrich condemned the decision on social media, arguing that this does not enhance public access but rather grants more control to the administration.
President Trump subsequently endorsed the changes, affirming that the White House will have the final say in press access decisions. This comes at a time when multiple media voices, such as the Associated Press, continue to seek restored access amidst ongoing legal disputes and accusations of press freedom violations.
