People Are Not Happy That The White House Blocked Major News Outlets from a Press Briefing
This afternoon, several news outlets-including the New York Times, CNN, LA Times and Politico-were barred from attending a White House media gaggle (a less formal press briefing without cameras). Meanwhile, journalists form conservative outlets like Steve Bannon's Breitbart News, One America News Network and The Washington Times were allowed to attend, NYT reports. Other organizations such as Fox News, ABC, CBS, The Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg also attended.
The unusual action, made by Press Secretary Sean Spicer, marks a stark rift in the White House's relationship with the news media and comes off as a breach of the first amendment, which protects freedom of the press.
Angered journalists, politicians and citizens made their feelings known on Twitter.
White House BANS CNN from covering a press briefing - says they are "not on the list" This will hurt Trump more then help pic.twitter.com/r8Ck8NdOMb
- Stop Trump 🍷 (@StopTrump2020) February 24, 2017
Freedom of the press? Nope. https://t.co/dATOcwmi6r
- Anonymous (@YourAnonNews) February 24, 2017
This isn't about the feelings of those in the press. Banning non-sycophantic outlets is a shot at the public who reads and watches them.
- Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) February 24, 2017
Trump can feed the press; or the press can find its own prey. Either way the press will eat.
- Tim 🇺🇸 Dickinson (@7im) February 24, 2017
Anyone who argues that America isn't becoming a fascist state, look what trump is doing to the free press today.
- Richard McFadyen🇨🇦 (@RTMcFadyen) February 24, 2017
anyways press, welcome to the enemies list. some of us have been there for a while. maybe you'll get a couple clues to rub together now.
- Oliver Willis (@owillis) February 24, 2017
Locking out the press: unacceptable, disturbing and Un-American.
- Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) February 24, 2017
Does @realDonaldTrump think that bullying the press is going to force glowing stories about him to appear?Emulating Putin won't work in US.
- Jennifer Granholm (@JenGranholm) February 24, 2017
CNN, NY Times, LA Times, Politico have been blocked from the White House press pool.
This is how freedom dies.- Jordan Uhl (@JordanUhl) February 24, 2017
Every time the press is obstructed, by this administration or any other, it is to prevent you from knowing how you are governed. Every time.
- Spencer Ackerman (@attackerman) February 24, 2017
1. This banning of select news outlets from the press gaggle has been described as authoritarian. True, but it's mainly stupid.
- Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) February 24, 2017
Attacks on the free press go against the founding values of our nation. https://t.co/tIWqqigb69
- Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) February 24, 2017
The Trump administration is proving that their enemy isn't the press, it's the truth. #NeverthelessTheyReported https://t.co/DbeYtb4q8X
- Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) February 24, 2017
Trump 2017: we're banning CNN NYT from press gaggle
reporters 2017: this is shocking!
is it?
Trump 2016: reporters belong in metal pens- Eric Boehlert (@EricBoehlert) February 24, 2017
When Obama mistreated @FoxNews, entire press corps went up in arms. Now they slither in with a smile as GOP White House bars major media.
- Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) February 24, 2017
So the White House has barred the BBC from attending its press briefing, and yet we are honouring Trump with a state visit?
- Clare Allan (@clareallan) February 24, 2017
POTUS deciding to ban press isn't just about the press. He makes bad decisions. Then he runs away from questions about his bad decisions.
- Jason Kander (@JasonKander) February 24, 2017
@CNN FREEDOM OF PRESS! Breitbart is not my news source! No president has done this! Dictators do this! Very upsetting
- Wendy Dubrow (@dubrow_wendy) February 24, 2017
If kicked out of the press briefing room, realize it's a gift. Being stenographers for compulsive liars is a waste of your time. Investigate
- Majestik møøse lamb (@ZeddRebel) February 24, 2017
The White House blocked CNN, Politico from the press gaggle & only invited Breitbart & anyone who thinks La La Land should win best picture.
- Rob Fee (@robfee) February 24, 2017
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