The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, recently announced a significant change: the Trump administration will now choose which media outlets participate in the presidential pool. This is a big shift from the usual practice, where the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) decided on the reporters included in this group.
The presidential pool is a small group of journalists who cover the president’s activities, especially during events in smaller spaces like the Oval Office. These reporters share “pool reports” with other journalists, ensuring that the public stays informed about the president’s remarks.
Typically, the pool includes reporters from major news organizations such as CNN, Reuters, The Associated Press, ABC News, Fox News, and The New York Times. Now, Leavitt says the new policy aims to give “new media” outlets—like digital platforms, streaming services, and podcasts—a chance to be part of this process. It seems there’s an intention to mix traditional and newer media voices.
The WHCA strongly criticized this decision. President Eugene Daniels expressed concerns about press freedom, stating this type of policy could threaten the independence of the press. He emphasized that a free society should not allow leaders to select their own coverage team. Daniels noted that the WHCA was not informed beforehand about this change and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and access for all media.
Additionally, the Trump administration has introduced a “new media” seat in the White House briefing room, filled by a mix of journalists. Some are known for their fair reporting, while others have shown clear support for Trump, like podcast host Sage Steele.
During her briefing, Leavitt mentioned that traditional media would still be included in the pool, but new voices would also be welcome. However, she did not clarify the specifics of how this selection process would work. This change gives the administration more control over which reporters get to ask questions and cover specific events.
Leavitt framed the decision as a way to empower the American people by selecting media outlets deemed relevant by the administration. It’s a shift that many will be watching closely to see how it affects the relationship between the press and the White House.
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Source linkUnited States Politics and Government,Television,Freedom of the Press,Media,Associated Press,Trump, Donald J
