White House steps up control over journalists - Reuters
The White House restricts journalists’ access to the West Wing (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The White House has changed its press rules, no longer allowing journalists free access to the West Wing, according to Reuters.
Accredited White House reporters now face new restrictions: they are prohibited from freely visiting press offices, including the offices of the press secretary and communications staff located near the Oval Office. Access is now only possible by prior appointment.
Sources clarify that this refers to Room 140, known in professional circles as the Upper Press.
Previously, journalists could access the area without special procedures to obtain timely comments or clarify details.
Now, visits are only allowed with approval from authorized White House representatives.
Reason – handling of confidential materials
National Security Council officials explained that the changes are related to internal structural adjustments. According to the agency, communications staff now regularly work with materials containing confidential information.
“In order to protect such material, and maintain coordination between National Security Council Staff and White House Communications Staff, members of the press are no longer permitted to access Room 140 without prior approval in the form of an appointment with an authorized White House Staff Member,” the official memo states.
Restrictions have affected not only the White House
The move follows similar measures recently introduced at the US Department of Defense, when dozens of journalists were forced to leave their workstations at the Pentagon and return their credentials. Experts believe the administration is seeking to tighten control over the handling of internal information.
Previously, accredited media representatives could interact almost freely with Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt, her deputy Steven Chung, and other staff involved in covering presidential activities. Now, such access will become the exception.
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