In a major shift, the White House will now control the selection of press pool journalists covering President Trump, rejecting the traditional role of the White House Correspondents' Association. This decision, which allows for the inclusion of new media outlets, has drawn criticism regarding press independence and freedom.
White House Seizes Control Over Trump Press Pool, Sparking Controversy
White House Seizes Control Over Trump Press Pool, Sparking Controversy
New regulations from the White House indicate a shift in determining which media outlets cover President Trump, stirring unrest among journalism circles.
The White House has announced a significant change in how the press pool covering President Donald Trump is managed, reclaiming control from the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) after more than a hundred years. This move, articulated by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, will allow the White House to select which news outlets can participate in the press pool that covers presidential events.
Historically, the WHCA has organized the logistics and rotations for pool reporters, emphasizing its role in maintaining a free and independent press. The WHCA has voiced strong opposition to this recent alteration, suggesting it undermines press autonomy. "This decision tears at the independence of a free press," the association stated, reflecting concerns that the administration will favor sympathetic outlets.
Leavitt argued that this new approach will empower "new media" forms, including podcasts and streaming services, to join traditional legacy media that have been part of the pool for years. She stated this change is about restoring power to the American people, suggesting that the inclusion of diverse voices will enrich the discourse.
As the changes were revealed, the WHCA expressed disappointment at not receiving prior notice, suggesting this move creates a governmental favoritism toward certain journalists. Prominent journalist Jacqui Heinrich subsequently echoed the sentiment, stating, "This move does not give power back to the people – it gives power to the White House."
The adjustment follows a recent dispute where the Associated Press was denied presidential access because of their refusal to adopt the term "Gulf of America," which President Trump had mandated. A judge's ruling to delay restoring the AP's access has fueled assertions that the White House's control over the press pool could be retaliatory and infringes upon First Amendment rights.
The debate surrounding the control of the press pool is ongoing, set against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny over the relationship between the media and the administration.
