Statement on Briefings

Yesterday on behalf of the WHCA I had a meeting with Sean Spicer and Sarah Sanders to discuss the issue of White House briefings. We had a long exchange of views about the subject, and each side expressed its thoughts and concerns about the current situation. The meeting was a follow-up to advocacy that board members and others have done over the last few weeks.

The WHCA’s position on this issue is clear: we believe strongly that Americans should be able to watch and listen to senior government officials face questions from an independent news media, in keeping with the principles of the First Amendment and the need for transparency at the highest levels of government.

As you all know, the WHCA Board represents a diverse set of interests inside the press corps, including journalists who need video and sound to tell Americans what the government is doing in their name. So it is also with that in mind that we have urged the White House not to replace on-camera briefings with “gaggles,” not-for-broadcast question and answer sessions. Though they are useful and can play an important role in informing the press and the public, gaggles are not a substitute for the open back-and-forth between reporters and administration officials that regular televised briefings allow.

Sean and Sarah agreed to consider these positions, and the Board will follow up with them in the coming days. We are not satisfied with the current state-of-play, and we will work hard to change it. In the meantime, I have asked that reporters be able to use audio from all gaggles going forward. We will keep you posted as developments occur.