Ben Wilson
May 10, 2023
The White House rolled out new guidance that would allow it to expel reporters who do not act "professional" during briefings and events.
Reporters are expected to meet several standards under the new rules, which were emailed to reporters this week, including listing an address in the Washington, D.C., area, holding additional credentials for the Supreme Court or Congress, and not "impeding events or briefings."
"The White House expects that all hard pass holders will act in a professional manner," the email said. If a reporter acts in a way the press office deems unprofessional, they will receive a "written warning" and possibly face suspension or revocation of their pass, according to the notice.
The rules come after the Trump administration unsuccessfully attempted to revoke the press passes of CNN reporter Jim Acosta and journalist Brian Karem in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Courts ruled in favor of the journalists because the Trump administration wasn’t acting according to written standards.
Simon Ateba, reporter for Today News Africa, who has gotten into several spats with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre over her refusal to take questions from him, tweeted that he believes the standards are directed at him.
"The @WhiteHouse is changing the rules for press hard passes to target me," Ateba tweeted.
more
https://freebeacon.com/biden-administration/white-house-reveals-new-rules-to-kick-reporters-from-briefings/
