Four hundred and forty-two reporters lost their access to the White House in the last few days as a series of more restrictive measures for the press went into effect. In the last three months, the number of accredited journalists dropped by 31%, and the figure could get even worse due to this new package of conditions that has already burdened a few media professionals.
In May, the Biden Administration announced a series of restrictive measures against journalists, tightening the requirements to be met in order to receive a credential. To gain access to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, reporters must work full-time for a news organization, live in the Washington, DC area and cover the White House regularly. In turn, they must also submit to a Secret Service investigation and first achieve "accreditation from a press gallery in the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives or the Supreme Court."
In addition, the government will have greater power to expel journalists it deems to be acting unprofessionally. As reported by POLITICO, "In the last three months, the number of hard pass holders dropped from 1417 to 975, with those approved reflecting a combination of renewals and new applications."
One of the reporters who lost his access was Simon Ateba of Today News Africa. He regularly argued with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, which led to appearances in The New York Times, The Washington Post and Tucker Carlson Tonight.
BREAKING: The @WhiteHouse is changing the rules for press hard passes to target me. But I qualify for all those things as we just filed our taxes, are registered with the District of Columbia and have our address in DC. I studied journalism in college, received two degrees, have… pic.twitter.com/NMvVF4WSaC
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) May 5, 2023
"The White House is changing the rules for press hard passes to target me. But I qualify for all those things, as we just filed our taxes, are registered in the District of Columbia, and have our address in D.C. I studied journalism in college, received two degrees, have only worked as a journalist, and have trained countless people," he wrote on his X account, formerly Twitter.
"I also attend briefings religiously and do not have a second job. It's crazy what's going on. How can a guy come from Africa, and you have to change the rules because of him?" he finished in his message.
Another of those affected is Matthew Anthony Harper, a correspondent for the InterMountain Christian News. His lawyer was quick to complain and wrote a letter to the White House asking for the cessation of these new measures.
"The requirement of accreditation by a press gallery in either the U.S. Congress or the Supreme Court appears to be an effort to purge smaller, regional media outlets who cannot afford enough reporters to continually cover both the White House and another branch of government," counsel Paul A. Hoffman wrote on behalf of his client.
Since taking office in January 2021, Joe Biden has averaged ten press conferences yearly, significantly fewer than his predecessors, Donald Trump, Barack Obama and George W. Bush.
