WASHINGTON — The Associated Press (AP) is fighting against the Trump administration's restrictions on media access as they return to a federal appeals court on Monday. The AP argues that news organizations should not face consequences for their editorial choices, while the White House maintains it has the authority to determine who can interact with the president.
The legal dispute stems from an incident earlier this year when AP reporters were excluded from the presidential pool after the organization chose to continue using the term Gulf of Mexico, contrary to President Trump's rebranding it as the Gulf of America. AP has since filed a lawsuit against three administration officials, including press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
In an op-ed published today, Executive Editor Julie Pace emphasized that the issue extends beyond the AP. When we talk about press freedom, we're really talking about your freedom, she noted, underscoring the role of journalists in maintaining accountability and transparency in government.
Pace cautioned that allowing the government to dictate which journalists can operate in specific capacities directly undermines the First Amendment rights of all citizens. The administration argues that decisions over journalist access fall under its jurisdiction, specifically in historically sensitive areas such as the White House.
In response to the ongoing legal concerns, nearly fifty media organizations, including notable outlets such as The New York Times and Fox News Channel, have expressed solidarity with the AP, emphasizing the damaging effects of restricting press access on the public's right to information. They collectively stated, When any news outlet is chilled, the press and public lose out, no matter how many reporters remain in the room. The case continues to develop as press advocates push for fundamental media freedoms.
