The President's media coverage access is being reevaluated by the White House, going against tradition that spans several decades.
The White House press pool, consisting of TV, print, radio, wire service, and still photography representatives, is set to undergo a major transformation. For decades, the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) has managed the rotating members of this pool, coordinating with the White House. That's about to change, as revealed by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Leavitt announced at a press briefing that the White House press pool would no longer be controlled by the WHCA. Moving forward, the White House press team will determine who joins the pool. While legacy outlets will still be welcome, Leavitt promised to extend invitations to new voices, such as streaming services, radio hosts, and other new media outlets. Despite the lack of specific timing and details, Leavitt made it clear: DC-based journalists should no longer monopolize the privilege of press access at the White House.
The WHCA, which has managed the pool since the 1950s, serves as a logistical powerhouse. With nearly 800 members representing over 300 news organizations – from small faith-based outlets to major television networks – the organization plays a significant role in deciding who has access to the briefing room. This system is built on fairness and professional standards, ensuring consistent access for all readers, viewers, and listeners.
However, WHCA President Eugene Daniels strongly disagreed with these changes. Daniels called them a violation of press independence, stating that leaders should not be able to choose their own press corps. Daniels also pointed out that the WHCA has consistently expanded its membership and pool rotations to facilitate inclusion of new and emerging outlets.
The announcement came just a day after a federal judge declined to lift the White House's ban on the Associated Press's access to some Trump events. Though the judge was skeptical about the ban's fairness, he ultimately did not lift it. With the White House press pool management shift, it now appears that the details surrounding this new pool rotation are yet to be announced.
[1] Source: CBS News[2] Source: Washington Post[3] Source: The Hill
- The shift in managing the White House press pool has raised concerns among some media outlets, with WHCA President Eugene Daniels declaring it a violation of press independence.
- As part of Leavitt's new strategy, she pledged to add new voices to the pool, including streaming services, radio hosts, and other new media outlets, aiming to diversify the business of reporting at the White House.
- According to reports, LEavitt's decision to unveil a rotating pool managed by the White House instead of the WHCA has sparked debate among media reporters, with critics arguing it could potentially compromise the rotating pool's independence.
