The White House has announced a new policy that will give it control over which news outlets cover events involving former President Donald Trump, introducing a rotating system for traditional media access.
This decision follows an incident where the Associated Press (AP) was excluded from certain events due to its refusal to use the term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico.”
Traditionally, media access to such events has been open, with a wide range of news outlets allowed to attend and report.
Under this new system, however, the White House will selectively choose which outlets can cover these events on a rotating basis.
A spokesperson for the White House explained that this move is designed to promote a diversity of perspectives and ensure that a broader array of voices have access to political reporting.
By rotating traditional news outlets, the administration hopes to create opportunities for less mainstream organizations to engage in covering political events, potentially offering a wider range of narratives.
The Associated Press, a major news agency known for its impartial and thorough reporting, became embroiled in the controversy after it refused to adopt the term “Gulf of America.”
This led to the AP being barred from certain events, sparking concerns about press freedom and government influence over media coverage.
Some media organizations and journalists have raised alarms about the potential consequences of this new policy.
Critics argue that selective media access could lead to biased coverage by limiting the scope of independent and critical reporting.
The White House, however, maintains that the rotation system is not designed to restrict press freedom.
Instead, the administration insists that it is aimed at fostering a broader and more diverse range of viewpoints in national media coverage.