4/17/2010

If the media had this many gripes with any other president, what would be the outcome?

The media apparently believe that this president is trying to control news coverage to an unprecedented level.

Ed Chen, a White House correspondent for Bloomberg News who is president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, said he asked for the meeting “to clear the air because in my 10-plus years at the White House, rarely have I sensed such a level of anger, which is wide and deep, among members over White House practices and attitude toward the press.” . . .

Among the issues discussed:

—More behind-the-scenes access for news photographers. Obama aides often post photos by White House staff photographers of scenes that in the past might have been recorded by a selected news photographer, or by the rotating “tight pool” of photographers that has more access than the general press.

—CNN’s Ed Henry, who represented the networks at the meeting, pushed for more bill signings and world leader meetings to be opened to cameras.

—Journalists have complained of instances in which the White House declared a “full lid,” meaning no more scheduled releases or travel for the day, then later puts out a newsworthy release such as a readout of a presidential call with a world leader. A White House official told POLITICO: “We vowed to ensure that full lid violations were rare.”

—Internet access on Air Force One is being explored. Currently, the White House staff has access to communications equipment. But except in extraordinary circumstances, such as a presidential trip to Iraq or Afghanistan, the press is not able to file while airborne. . . .

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3 Comments:

Blogger OldSouth said...

'gripes', perhaps is what you intend to say?

4/17/2010 6:57 PM  
Blogger John Lott said...

Thanks. Sorry for missing the "e."

4/17/2010 7:07 PM  
Blogger JohnK said...

Any one of Obama's pre-election gaffes or problems (birth certificate, Ayres, Wright, etc) would have instantly doomed a Republican candidate.

But the MSM and the gullible Democrat voters were willing to give him a pass on EVERYTHING!

4/19/2010 11:29 AM  

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