White House Press Pool Tug-of-War: Who Gets to Play?

Eugene Daniels, president of the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA), voiced concerns on February 25 regarding the White House's decision to manage the press pool that travels with the president. According to Daniels, this move—a shift from the WHCA's decades-long management—"suggests the government will choose the journalists who cover the president. In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps."

Daniels emphasized the WHCA's role since its inception in 1914: "The WHCA has sought to ensure that the reporters, photographers, producers, and technicians who actually do the work – 365 days of every year – decide among themselves how these rotations are operated," ensuring "consistent professional standards and fairness in access on behalf of all readers, viewers, and listeners."

FLASHBACK: BIDEN ALSO CHANGED WHITE HOUSE PRESS POOL, CUTTING OFF MORE THAN 440 REPORTERS' CREDENTIALS

The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, named in 2000 after the press secretary wounded during the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, was established in 1970 under President Richard Nixon, repurposing a swimming pool from 1934. The West Wing, housing the press room, Oval Office, and other key offices, was built in 1902, with the WHCA forming in 1914.

Daniels argues that the WHCA's practices, developed over time under legacy media's guidance, should remain unchanged. This stance comes despite his recent transition from Politico to MSNBC.

Chuck Todd, formerly of NBC's "Meet the Press," highlighted the financial burden of pool coverage, traditionally shouldered by legacy networks. The costs would need to be divided among journalists or covered by the White House from the president's budget, which also funds the press room.

Legally, the government cannot discriminate based on viewpoint when selecting reporters for the pool. The current administration's actions aim to disrupt what it sees as an aristocratic media system influenced by Beltway profiles.

While some conservatives and center-right individuals are present, legacy media has generally leaned left, especially since Nixon's 1968 election and the Vietnam War era.

The divide between legacy elites and the public has widened. Trump's move to break up the guild is welcomed by many in alternative media, seeking a more level playing field.

There's debate over the necessity of a press room or the WHCA itself. Calls are growing for a fairer, rotational, or lottery-based system for admitting journalists to the press room and the "pool."

Hugh Hewitt is host of "The Hugh Hewitt Show," heard weekday mornings 6am to 9am ET on the Salem Radio Network, and simulcast on Salem News Channel.

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