Statement on VP Debate

Throughout this election cycle, the WHCA has grown increasingly concerned about the lack of a media access inside debate halls. The unprecedented backsliding in access has limited our ability to chronicle the on-camera debate, in addition to the moments during commercial breaks. The American people deserve to have a clear view of these moments.

The problem stems from the campaigns’ decision to bypass the longstanding tradition of working through the Commission on Presidential Debates. Instead, they are operating directly with news organizations. For tonight’s debate, CBS is only allowing one print representative, one television representative and six still photographers, who won’t be permitted to move around to take photos during the event.

While we do appreciate ABC and CBS for the good faith negotiations that led to notable progress, the end results fell short of the WHCA’s expectations. They also broke traditions of access from decades of presidential debates. These restrictions are part of an alarming trend: as you may remember, there was no editorial presence in the debate hall at all during the CNN debate, other than CNN.

News organizations that choose to host presidential debates should adhere to the precedent of transparency. At the end of the day, the host chooses the venue for the debate. Spatial restrictions are completely in their control, so a shortage of space should not be an excuse to limit press access.

The WHCA’s insistence on having a full pool inside the room isn’t just about reporters being able to witness the debates. This is about the public having multiple sets of eyes and ears to properly record these moments for history.

As president, my expectation is that if there is another debate this election cycle, news organizations will commit to upholding the long standing precedent of press access.

-Eugene Daniels, President of the White House Correspondents’ Association.