White House imposes new rules on reporters' credentials, raising concerns about access

[left-of-center2012]

Source: Washington Post

The White House has implemented new rules that it says will cut down on the number of journalists that hold “hard” passes, the credentials that allow reporters and technicians to enter the grounds without seeking daily permission.

The new policy has been met with some confusion and even worry among journalists, some of whom suspect that the ultimate aim is to keep critics in the press away from the White House and President Trump.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders explicity denied that, saying the changes were prompted by security concerns, not to punish journalists.

Sanders has held only two formal press briefings since the start of the year, including a record stretch of 59 days without a briefing as of Thursday.

Trump and Sanders continue to hold unscheduled “gaggles” on the White House grounds, but the disappearance of the briefing has led many reporters to work away from the White House.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/white-house-imposes-new-rules-on-reporters-credentials-raising-concerns-about-access/2019/05/08/793dc404-71dd-11e9-9eb4-0828f5389013_story.html?utm_term=.ccb7a9ba6217

[ETStevens]

1. No reporters should go to the WH briefings again!

Sarah Huckabee Sanders is a pathological liar, but better yet: Trump can't stand being ignored or being seen as illegitimate.

[eggplant]

4. What briefings?

[Hestia]

17. The one's where Marine 1 & the caretakers start their mowers or the garbage collectors start their

vehicles - all this in the background so the talking head has to scream over the noise? (And just WITF is that shrill woman who screams at the reporters when they go into the Oval Office to ask questions and she starts screaming to get out, now!) This alone should keep everyone from attending. There's no there there...

[DeminPennswoods]

13. +1

[Judi Lynn]

14. Welcome to D.U., ETStevens.

Welcome to DU ETS?

[ETStevens]

15. Thank you!

[tclambert]

2. Trump has nothing to hide, so don't even try looking.

Yeah, that's how innocent people act, fer sure.

[underpants]

3. Security concerns? Like Jared's security clearance? Is Trump getting paranoid?

Probably no to both - it's intimidation

[Ferrets are Cool]

5. How long before it becomes illegal to disagree with Agent Orange? nt

[kacekwl]

6. Sorry folks but you reap what you sow.

You helped/help this happen. Not too late to do something about it.

[struggle4progress]

7. "We are moving to Threat Level Orange, due to rumors that some reporters want to ask questions"

[watoos]

8. Helen Thomas used to sit up front at the press briefing

and get to ask the first question. She was brutal, asked Bush why we invaded Iraq? She screwed up and asked a bit of an inappropriate question so Shrub moved her to the back of the room.

[Grasswire2]

10. She was the reporter for UPI.

That's why she got the first question.

AP is now the preeminent news wire, but that protocol is no longer followed.

[Grasswire2]

9. seizing authority over the free press

Credentialing used to be the purview of the White House Correspondents Association until a few decades ago it was transferred to the Press Office. A HORRIBLE MOVE for the reason we see today.

Reporters covering Congress have their access codified in the rules for the press gallery there. White House reporters have no such protection.

[keithbvadu2]

11. Sarah Huck is not doing the job she is paid to do. She is doing the job she was hired to do.

Sarah Huck is not doing the job she is paid to do.

She is doing the job she was hired to do.

[keithbvadu2]

12. Jeff Gannon would qualify for their "hard" pass. He has the right level of integrity.

[BlueIdaho]

16. Shitler follows Hitlers Playbook...

Restrict the press and control the message... a Boycott seems in order, but the Fascist News Network will never join it.

[Firestorm49]

18. So far, I've heard nothing on MSM about this.

[Nitram]

19. Impeach the sucker!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

20. They don't want any tough questions