The White House excluded the Associated Press journalists from the service of events in the Oval Office, Air Force One and other places. This decision is related to the fact that the agency uses the term Mexican bay in its messages despite changing the name of the basin by Donald Trump. The Association of Correspondents in the White House, WHCA, protested against restrictions.
“Associated Press continues to ignore the legitimate change of the geographical name of the American Gulf. This decision not only causes divisions, but also reveals the involvement of Associated Press in misinformation,” wrote on the portal X Taylor Budowi, deputy head of the White House staff.
He added, although the US constitution allows for “irresponsible and dishonest” journalism, “it does not guarantee them the privilege of unlimited access to limited spaces, such as the Oval Office and Air Force One”.
In this way, Budowie officially confirmed the information of the AP agency that its journalists have been taken away from the last three days for these places for not using the American Bay name in their messages, remaining at the Gulf of Mexican. The agency explained that it has not changed its rules because it operates in the area of over 100 countries that have not changed the name of the water.
Protests of the Association of Correspondents in the White House
As a result of the White House decision, AP reporters were not allowed, among others At the Thursday press conference of President Donald Trump and the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. This decision was condemned by the Association of Correspondents in the White House, White House Correspondents Association (WHCA), calling it “a scandalous and deeply disappointing escalation.”
Donald Trump in the oval officeFrancis Chung/PAP/EPA
“Let's say it clearly: the White House is trying to limit the freedom of the press recorded in our constitution and publicly admitted that it limits access to events to punish the information station for not showing the language preferred by the state,” said WHCA Eugene Daniels president in a statement.
AP, one of the oldest and largest press agencies in the world, has so far enjoyed a privileged position in the White House and outside. According to an unwritten custom, AP journalists usually have the first question at the daily press briefings in the White House and the US Department of State.
Source of the main photo: Francis Chung/PAP/EPA