 |
| Pool reporters aboard Air Force One |
On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced it would begin choosing which media outlets can join the presidential press pool—the small, rotating group of journalists tasked with reporting the president’s daily activities to the public. The NY Times reports the move overturns decades of tradition, giving the White House greater authority over who gets close access to the president and the chance to question him directly.
Historically, the White House Correspondents’ Association, a 111-year-old organization representing journalists covering the administration, has independently decided which reporters participate in the daily pool. The pool system exists because presidents often hold events in confined spaces like the Oval Office, where only a handful of reporters can fit. Those selected then share their observations with hundreds of other news outlets, ensuring the public gets a clear account of the president’s words and actions.
This shift marks another bold step by the Trump administration to curb the reach and influence of major news organizations covering the White House. It diverges sharply from the approach of previous Republican and Democratic presidents, who left pool assignments to the press corps itself. Already, the administration has clashed with the media, barring reporters from The Associated Press—a vital source for thousands of global newsrooms—from Oval Office access and Air Force One travel, sparking a legal fight.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the change, saying it aims to bring “new media” into the fold, including digital platforms, streaming services, and podcasts, to “share in this awesome responsibility.” She noted that while “legacy media” outlets with long-standing roles will still take part, the policy opens the door to fresh voices.
No comments:
Post a Comment