In brief
The change raises concerns about press independence and the rights of journalists.
The White House has announced a significant shift in how the media covers President Trump, deciding which news outlets will gain access, previously managed by the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA). Announced by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, this change ends a century-old tradition where reporters were rotated by the WHCA. Leavitt claims the new approach will include both legacy media and new platforms, such as podcasts and streaming services, allowing a greater diversity of voices.The WHCA expressed alarm, stating that the new policy compromises press freedom by potentially favoring "friendly" outlets. They argue that by controlling the press pool, the White House could dictate who gets to report on presidential activities. President Trump weighed in, stating, “We’re going to be calling those shots,” on the revised coverage protocols.Recently, the Associated Press has also been embroiled in a controversy over access after being blocked by the administration due to a naming dispute. A judge has yet to rule on their appeal for access as tensions continue to rise over media relations with the White House.
