Here are some highlights from the fight featured in the AP and Politico:
And the press access precedent being set by this WH press office will only be followed in a more rigid way by next POTUS. why we whine
— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) November 21, 2013
"It is the responsibility of those of who who sit in your seats to push for more. You're supposed to be agitating for more access. If you weren't, you wouldn't be doing your job." - White House Deputy Secretary Josh Earnest"As surely as if they were placing a hand over a journalist's camera lens, officials in this administration are blocking the public from having an independent view of important functions of the executive branch of government." - Letter from the White House Correspondents Association to Earnest
"The press corps don't break much news these days, I'm sure they are resentful. When they had a monopoly on communications technology, I'm sure they found folks needing them more, giving them more. But their current colleagues who actually report seem to be doing fine, so maybe big media should stop pretending [the White House] beat is this plum assignment in the Internet age." - Arun Chaudhary, First Official White House videographer
So where do you stand in this debate?
The press should be agitating for more access to give the public a more independent view. Restricted access that only allows the president's administration's official photographers and videographers to cover events is more or less a form of propoganda. I assume employee's of any president's administration are in support of that president. So, they'd only be releasing coverage that presents the administration in a good light. Assuming that's the case, then more journalists should fight for more access so people can form their own ideas from objective press coverage.
ReplyDeleteThe press corps should be calling for more access to White House Events. It is not the job of the official photographers to present an objective story. It is likely that they would never release a photo that put the administration in a negative light. By relying on White House public relations handout photos or video, the press corps ends up using the images and footage that the White House wants to be the basis of stories rather than ones that may be more accurate representations of what actually happens. Having access is a vital part to the media serving as a check on the government and the press corps should continue to seek greater access to official business going on inside the White House.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Judy and Max that the press should be fighting for more access to White House coverage. The Obama administration's photographers and videographers are going portray Obama in a positive way. If the press does not gain access to the administration, the public will not be accurately informed. As citizens who must decide which candidates to vote for in future elections, it is absolutely crucial that we see all sides of the administration, even its mistakes.
ReplyDeleteI'm also agreeing completely with everyone else that the press should fight for the access that is necessary to remove any bias that the administration's photographers will likely place upon their coverage. There should be a clear issue presented by this restricted access, not just by journalists, but by the public, as they will be receiving a one-sided view, showing the president in an obviously positive, and as Judy said, a propaganda-like light. The press could show the administration more accurately from an objective view point.
ReplyDeleteThis is not the first time that the press has complained about the Obama administration limiting access. Obama won in 2008 based on a very controlled image, and the administration has continued that policy into the White House. I agree with the White House Correspondents Association and believe that the White House has a responsibility to give the press more access. The press is often considered a fourth branch of government, but it can only serve that role if it is given the access it needs to report independently. The official photographers and videographers fulfill their job by providing content that fits the administration's plans, but that makes it that much more important for the press to have access.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who was unaware that this was/is occurring, I have to say I'm pretty disappointed this is occurring. What makes America great compared to other countries (most notably Russia) is the fact that our press isn't controlled and manipulated by the government so we don't have to deal with the propaganda filled garbage other nations have to deal with. This is a really bad look for the Obama administration and with everything else they are dealing with, I'm not sure why they would do something like this. People are growing unhappy by the day with what is transpiring in our government so I'm sure if this issue continues to escalate, it will be receiving much more attention. I feel like this is such a small deal in the grand scheme of things and am baffled as to why the administration would decide to do something like this.
ReplyDelete