The White House Press Office announced new rules on Friday for the withdrawal of reporters’ press credentials, saying all reporters who currently have one will need to reapply by July 31.
The rules usher in a new era by closing a loophole that once protected journalists from retaliation. Federal courts said the White House could not suspend reporters’ credentials under former President Donald Trump because the lack of formal rules warning of the possibility deprived reporters of due process.
The new rules serve as a warning and include vague rules to justify their application. The announcement just two days after World Press Freedom Day also outlines stricter policies for obtaining press credentials, known as hard passes, and raised concerns in part because of ill-defined rules about what conduct might result in press credentials. expulsion from journalists.
The move is believed to have been motivated by an interest in stripping African journalist Simon Ateba of his briefing room access after a series of disruptions, although those involved in the discussions said White House staffers had talked of making changes even before Ateba became a minor. celebrity. “The White House expects all hard pass holders to act professionally while on White House grounds by respecting their colleagues, White House employees, and guests; observing established restrictions on accessing areas of the White House or accredited events; and not obstruct events or information sessions on campus,” the notice reads.
