A blow to the freedom of the press or just a reasonable change in processes? The new White House spokesman, Carolin Livitannounced that the system that has been in force for decades for the privileged access of journalists to the US president, for example in the Oval Office or Presidential Aircraft has been abolished for decades. Air Force One. From 1914 until today, the Independent White House correspondent (WHCA) correspondent, with the executive, remaining unattended.

From now on, the staff itself Donald Trump will approve or reject requests for journalists to access the president.

“We want the other means to have an opportunity to participate in PTA-Poul and to cover up close the unprecedented achievements of the administration,” explains Carolin Livit. “As you all know, a team of Washington -based journalists dictated for decades which journalist has the right to ask questions to the US president. This will stop. “

‘Not in monopolies’

The spokesman argues that “traditional media” remain in PTA-Poul, but other stakeholders will also access access. Already in the first contact with press representatives in Washington in early February, Carolin Livit had made it clear that bloggers, tiktokers and contenders in general from the new media can apply for accreditation to the White House. About 7,000 requests were filed within a few days.

It is difficult to imagine that there is room for everyone, when the president’s press interviews become the inseparable. So the question is who will approve or reject the request for accreditation and by what criteria. For Livit, things are clear. ‘Can’t have the monopoly of access to White house A selected group of journalists, “he says. “All means, all voices deserve a place at this sought -after table. So deciding on a daily basis who will have access, the White House restores the power of the people, which is also served by President Trump. “

And… Biff with Associated Press

But when the government itself decides – and even “on a daily basis” – who goes into the president’s press interviews and who stays from the outside, does it decide on a criterion who was “wise” the last time and who asked “annoying” questions? This is suspected by the White House correspondents Association, which speaks of a blow to the independence of the press. “This is an attempt to limit access to independent and confidential information on America’s most powerful person,” commented New York Times on the X platform.

The negative impressions are the conflict (the “Biff” that Tiktokers would say) of Trump’s staff with one of the most iconic media, the Associated Press (AP). Ignoring Trump’s executive decree, the agency had refused to call the “Gulf of America” ​​the “Gulf of Mexico” and since then its journalists have been excluded from the White Pole. The AP appealed to justice, but regional judge Trevor McAden, appointed by Trump, refused to impose “temporary measures”, considering that the claim for “irreparable damage” was not substantiated on the agency’s activity. Expected constantly…

(Aptn, Reuters, DPA)