White House Implements New Restrictions on Press Office Access

Politics

White House Implements New Restrictions on Press Office Access

1 month ago

News sources:

REUTERS

ALJAZEERA

SCMP

White House Implements New Restrictions on Press Office Access

Credited from: SCMP

The White House has issued a new rule restricting journalist access to press offices without an appointment.
This change is aimed at protecting sensitive material handled by communications officials.
The rule follows similar restrictions implemented recently at the Department of Defense.
Criticism has emerged from the White House Correspondents' Association regarding these limitations.
The memorandum is effective immediately and requires prior approval for access.

The White House announced a new memorandum on Friday that restricts credentialed journalists from accessing the offices of Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and other senior communications officials near the Oval Office without a prior appointment. This change is meant to protect "sensitive material" that is now routinely handled by White House communications officials, as stated by the National Security Council (NSC). The rule will take effect immediately, according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, and South China Morning Post.

This rule specifies that journalists are "no longer permitted" to access Room 140, known as "Upper Press," without prior approval as a means of maintaining better coordination between NSC staff and White House communications staff. Before this change, credentialed journalists could access this room at short notice, fostering more immediate communication with officials such as Leavitt and her deputy, Steven Cheung, according to Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

Reuters, Al Jazeera, and South China Morning Post.

Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.