White House denies access to press briefing for media outlets

The paper was one of a number of outlets-including CNN and Politico-recently barred from a White House press briefing, the latest escalation in the new administration’s feud with the media.

“It is risky for democracy and for holding politicians accountable when a White House excludes tough-minded journalists who criticize them, “tweeted New York Times reporter Steven Greenhouse”.

The Associated Press said it “believes the public should have as much access to the president as possible”.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer has sought to crack down on leaks to media by his own team in a secret meeting – details of which were promptly leaked to media. The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, CNN and Politico were also excluded.

The White House Correspondents Association, or WHCA, also protested.

President Trump has made no secret of his disdain for the mainstream media, which he says traffics in fake news, which he often charges about stories he doesn’t like.

“They always bring up the First Amendment”, Trump said to cheers.

CBS, NBC, Fox, ABC, One America News Network, The Wall Street Journal, McClatchy, Breitbart and Washington Times reporters attended. “There’s a big difference between a campaign, where it’s a private venue using private funds, and a government entity”, he said, referencing how the Trump campaign famously blocked several media outlets from their campaign events. The day after Trump won the White House in November, he was accused of preventing the press from traveling with him for a White House meeting.

This private meeting was instead of the normal on-camera meeting in the White House James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.

Spicer justified his decision when challenged at the briefing by reporters from other outlets, saying: “We’re not just going to sit back and, you know, false narratives, false stories, inaccurate facts get out there”.

The White House did not immediately respond to TPM’s request for comment.