Reference News Network, November 2 report - According to AFP on October 31, the White House announced that day that it would restrict journalists from entering certain areas of its press office in order to better protect "sensitive information." This move comes amid tense relations between major media outlets and the Trump administration.
Currently, many journalists with White House credentials have workstations inside the White House building. Previously, they could freely access two areas to ask White House press office staff for information or seek responses.
According to a notice released by the White House, journalists will need to make an appointment in advance to enter the first area ("Upper Press Area"). This area is near the Oval Office and is where spokesperson Karoline Leavitt and other press office officials are based.
The notice clearly states that the second area ("Lower Press Area") remains freely accessible to journalists, where other press assistants work, and is near the press briefing room.
The notice explained that due to internal restructuring, members of the White House communications team "continuously handle sensitive information." Therefore, this new restriction is intended to "protect this information and maintain coordination between the National Security Council team and the communications team."
Most media outlets with reporters stationed at the Pentagon, including The New York Times, Fox News, and AFP, refused to accept these new rules, and their journalists subsequently left their offices at the Pentagon.
Since January, the White House has adjusted the mechanism for journalists covering the president's schedule up close, excluding the Associated Press.
In addition, the White House has opened press briefing access to a group of social media influencers, many of whom have publicly supported Trump.
This president, who once called traditional media "the enemy of the people" during his first term, continues to frequently criticize journalists who criticize his government and has launched multiple lawsuits against them. (Translated by Pan Geping)
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