The White House has eliminated the place reserved for news agencies in the presidential pool, replacing it with a rotating system that includes reporters from print, TV, radio, independent media and photographers. The decision, confirmed by a West Wing official, gives spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt discretion over the daily composition of the group. The change comes after a federal judge ordered the Associated Press (AP) reinstated in the pool (it had been excluded for not using the phrase “Gulf of America” in its editorial style, according to The Hill), but the AP was still excluded on Monday and Tuesday. Bloomberg and Reuters, historically present as agencies, will be allowed to participate only if selected from time to time as press representatives on a given day.
Control over the selection of the press pool was previously handled by the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), an organization composed of journalists who regularly follow the activities of the President of the United States and the White House. Founded in 1914, WHCA’s purpose is to protect press freedom, manage the pool, and organize official events.
Meanwhile, the AP news agency sued the White House, arguing that access is essential to its journalistic work, and some of its reporters testified in court about the negative effects of the exclusion. Journalists and WHCA representatives have harshly criticized the change, accusing the administration of wanting to punish undesirable media. According to them, these restrictions harm the public’s right to free and independent information.
Eugene Daniels, MSNBC anchor and current WHCA president, said in this regard, “The administration’s actions continue to ignore the fundamental American freedom to speak without government control or retaliation. This is a grave disservice to the American people.”
