The plan by the White House to tighten the noose on anti-President Donald Trump media and reward those in support of his government has raised concerns among some media houses and editors in the United States (U.S.).
Tuesday’s announcement about President Trump’s press operation taking over “press pool” organising duties is part of the plan.
At the White House, and at key agencies like the Defence Department, the plan is obvious: Punish traditional journalists who ask tough questions and promote a parallel universe of pro-Trump media outlets.
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According to some editors, the administration is clearly trying to exert more control over who asks questions – and what they ask.
Journalists, newsroom leaders and press freedom groups are all objecting to the changes, to no avail.
Editors at the sidelined news outlets are speaking out now. In a rare joint statement on Wednesday, the top editors of The AP, Reuters and Bloomberg – the three wire services that were, until this month, daily fixtures in the press pool – said the White House’s changes are harmful to the public.
“It is essential in a democracy for the public to have access to news about their government from an independent, free press,” the editors said.