As the White House continues to ban video and live recordings at various press briefings, a growing media coalition has called on President Trump to reinstate their presence at all briefings, with the National Press Photographers Association now joining the letter.
The NPPA recently joined PEN America, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Free Press, Reporters Without Borders, and the Society of Professional Journalists in calling on the president to end the ban as well as the decreased frequency of televised briefings, citing a growing lack of transparency and an inability to enable the access of information by regular citizens. Gabe Rottman, PEN America's Washington director, notes:
The whole point of the White House press briefing is to give the public a window into the White House... We fear that closing the press briefings to video and audio is just another darkening of that window into our government.
The letter goes on to elaborate on the importance of having cameras and live broadcasts in maintaining both accountability and the ability to ensure answers are more candid than purpose-written responses:
The role of the press in asking questions and probing issues on behalf of the public is invaluable; there is no substitute for the give-and-take of a press conference in allowing the questions most on the minds of the American people to be asked and answered in real time, without the forethought and crafting that goes into scripted written messages.
The letter was sent June 29, but has not received a response yet.
I think its a must have, We will be all going to war shortly thanks to Trump and his failure to understand the Chinese, when he should be looking at his own US companies making their shit there, It all trade for them
and the US dig its own grave.
There is nothing stopping the press from asking questions and getting answers. The only difference is the ability of these obnoxious narcissists to preen for the cameras.
Nothing like a good smart phone to capture , hiding out
I for one can understand where this might be coming from. There is little that can be photographed at a daily press briefing, as it is the same people doing the same thing every day. What is there to photograph that hasn't been shot already? The second point is all of the shutters going off make a racket that the microphones pick up making it an annoyance. When is the press corp going to be made to switch over to mirrorless cameras? The mirrorless cameras are getting closer to shooting images of a quality that compete with Canon and Nikon.
Shutters are quiet these days...access to information is apolitical. And restrictions on cameras represent restrictions on my access to full information. I can make a better judgement as to what's going on when I have visuals as part of the package
A few lame comments here such as there is nothing to photograph so banning visual coverage is ok, and working journalists are preening narcissists. In my experience very routine events and subjects require greater creativity and instincts. And as far as attacking the so-called liberal press the current administration has opened the briefings to a greater number of conservative outlets and several with dubious news afiliations.
More than ever before the Press briefings themselves make news when lies are told or repeated. Remember when Mr Spicer lied about the innauguration crowd size and became a bit unhinged.
Fstoppers is not a site for photojournalism or documentary photography so some of the comments don't surprise me very much. I'm a big fan of this site but would welcome more subjects related to photojournalism even if it means fewer heavily retouched pictures of women in underwear.
I sure hate to see politics sour this site but this story is important to many people. I just wish people would separate the conservative platform from the actions of the President and his administration. To me at least his actions are indefensible, egotistical, infantile, and counterproductive. They do not represent the majority thinking of his own party and his lack of leadership is hindering the progress of conservative legislation.
Politicians must be prepared to face criticism and be above petty retaliations. No matter what your party affiliation we all deserve a President that upholds the dignity of the office.
Someone please bring me the step ladder so I can get off my high horse.
Butch
This has happened before, and it will happen again. If I recall correctly, the last time cameras were disallowed at press briefings it was President Clinton. I do understand why the NPPA would get in on the letter writing action, though. It is their member's jobs being affected by this camera ban. It isn't a political us vs them issue, though. Just because it hasn't been done in about 20 years doesn't mean that it is wrong. It is inconvenient for the press. They can still ask questions. They can still listen to and report the answers. Nothing to see here (pun intended); move along.
I respectfully disagree. I think a visual/audio recording of a press briefing or any other event can carry more weight in the aftermath than a reporter's notes.