Trump accelerates war on "enemy" media, banning major outlets from press briefing in unprecedented move

by Ben Reilly Fri Feb 24, 2017 9:14 pm

CNN and other news outlets were blocked Friday from an off-camera White House press briefing, raising alarm among media organizations and First Amendment watchdogs.

The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Politico and BuzzFeed were also excluded from the meeting, which is known as a gaggle and is less formal than the televised Q-and-A session in the White House briefing room. The gaggle was held by White House press secretary Sean Spicer.

In a brief statement defending the move, administration spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the White House "had the pool there so everyone would be represented and get an update from us today."

The pool usually includes a representative from one television network and one print outlet. In this case, four of the five major television networks -- NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox News -- were invited and attended the meeting, while only CNN was blocked.

And while The New York Times was kept out, conservative media organizations Breitbart News, The Washington Times and One America News Network were also allowed in.

Both CNN and the Times protested the decision.

"This is an unacceptable development by the Trump White House. Apparently this is how they retaliate when you report facts they don't like. We'll keep reporting regardless," CNN said in a statement.

The White House press office had informed reporters earlier in the day that the traditional, on-camera press briefing would be replaced by a gaggle in Spicer's office, reporters in attendance said.

Asked about the move by the White House Correspondents Association, the White House said it would take the press pool -- including one television, one radio and one print outlet -- and invite others as well.

The WHCA protested that decision on the grounds that it would effectively amount to a ban on whatever news organizations were not invited, the reporters said. The White House did not budge, and when reporters arrived at Spicer's office, White House communications officials only allowed in reporters from specific media outlets.

CNN reporters attempted to access the gaggle when it began around 1:45 p.m. ET. As they walked with a large group of fellow journalists from the White House briefing room toward Spicer's office, an administration official turned them around, informing them CNN wasn't on the list of attendees.

Asked during the gaggle whether CNN and The New York Times were blocked because the administration was unhappy with their reporting, Spicer responded: "We had it as pool, and then we expanded it, and we added some folks to come cover it. It was my decision to expand the pool."

Several news outlets spoke out against the White House's decision.

New York Times executive editor head Baquet wrote, "Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties. We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organizations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest."

The Associated Press and Time magazine boycotted the briefing because of how it was handled.

The White House Correspondents Association also protested the move.

"The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how today's gaggle is being handled by the White House," it said in a statement. "We encourage the organizations that were allowed in to share the material with others in the press corps who were not. The board will be discussing this further with White House staff."

Hours earlier, at the Conservative Political Action Conference outside Washington, President Trump mocked and disparaged the news media. He said that much of the press represents "the enemy of the people."

"They are the enemy of the people because they have no sources," Trump said. "They just make them up when there are none."
He also said reporters "shouldn't be allowed" to use unnamed sources.

http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/24/media/cnn-blocked-white-house-gaggle/index.html

This is simply unacceptable and sets a VERY dangerous precedent. It's not even a partisan issue; it's a clear violation of the vision of the Founding Fathers:

“Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press.” - Thomas Jefferson

by Andy Fri Feb 24, 2017 9:30 pm

All but the alt right agree with you, Ben.
But the few who do agree with Trump are utter morons.

by The Devil, You Know Fri Feb 24, 2017 10:46 pm

Ben Reilly wrote:
CNN and other news outlets were blocked Friday from an off-camera White House press briefing, raising alarm among media organizations and First Amendment watchdogs.

The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Politico and BuzzFeed were also excluded from the meeting, which is known as a gaggle and is less formal than the televised Q-and-A session in the White House briefing room. The gaggle was held by White House press secretary Sean Spicer.

In a brief statement defending the move, administration spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the White House "had the pool there so everyone would be represented and get an update from us today."

The pool usually includes a representative from one television network and one print outlet. In this case, four of the five major television networks -- NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox News -- were invited and attended the meeting, while only CNN was blocked.

And while The New York Times was kept out, conservative media organizations Breitbart News, The Washington Times and One America News Network were also allowed in.

Both CNN and the Times protested the decision.

"This is an unacceptable development by the Trump White House. Apparently this is how they retaliate when you report facts they don't like. We'll keep reporting regardless," CNN said in a statement.

The White House press office had informed reporters earlier in the day that the traditional, on-camera press briefing would be replaced by a gaggle in Spicer's office, reporters in attendance said.

Asked about the move by the White House Correspondents Association, the White House said it would take the press pool -- including one television, one radio and one print outlet -- and invite others as well.

The WHCA protested that decision on the grounds that it would effectively amount to a ban on whatever news organizations were not invited, the reporters said. The White House did not budge, and when reporters arrived at Spicer's office, White House communications officials only allowed in reporters from specific media outlets.

CNN reporters attempted to access the gaggle when it began around 1:45 p.m. ET. As they walked with a large group of fellow journalists from the White House briefing room toward Spicer's office, an administration official turned them around, informing them CNN wasn't on the list of attendees.

Asked during the gaggle whether CNN and The New York Times were blocked because the administration was unhappy with their reporting, Spicer responded: "We had it as pool, and then we expanded it, and we added some folks to come cover it. It was my decision to expand the pool."

Several news outlets spoke out against the White House's decision.

New York Times executive editor head Baquet wrote, "Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties. We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organizations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest."

The Associated Press and Time magazine boycotted the briefing because of how it was handled.

The White House Correspondents Association also protested the move.

"The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how today's gaggle is being handled by the White House," it said in a statement. "We encourage the organizations that were allowed in to share the material with others in the press corps who were not. The board will be discussing this further with White House staff."

Hours earlier, at the Conservative Political Action Conference outside Washington, President Trump mocked and disparaged the news media. He said that much of the press represents "the enemy of the people."

"They are the enemy of the people because they have no sources," Trump said. "They just make them up when there are none."
He also said reporters "shouldn't be allowed" to use unnamed sources.

http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/24/media/cnn-blocked-white-house-gaggle/index.html

This is simply unacceptable and sets a VERY dangerous precedent. It's not even a partisan issue; it's a clear violation of the vision of the Founding Fathers:

“Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press.” - Thomas Jefferson

but didn't obama use to take selected media aside for private chats as well?

by The Devil, You Know Fri Feb 24, 2017 10:47 pm

Angry Andy wrote:All but the alt right agree with you, Ben.
But the few who do agree with Trump are utter morons.

biscuits

by Guest Fri Feb 24, 2017 10:52 pm

The Devil, You Know wrote:
Ben Reilly wrote:

http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/24/media/cnn-blocked-white-house-gaggle/index.html

This is simply unacceptable and sets a VERY dangerous precedent. It's not even a partisan issue; it's a clear violation of the vision of the Founding Fathers:

“Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press.” - Thomas Jefferson
but didn't obama use to take selected media aside for private chats as well?

lol, that is not even the same remotely.

Amusing how you present a comparability with blocking to selective

by The Devil, You Know Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:06 pm

Thorin wrote:
The Devil, You Know wrote:
but didn't obama use to take selected media aside for private chats as well?

lol, that is not even the same remotely.

Amusing how you present a comparability with blocking to selective

no, because it was obama doing it.

not as amusing as trying to make sense of your mangled english

by Guest Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:07 pm

The Devil, You Know wrote:
Thorin wrote:

lol, that is not even the same remotely.

Amusing how you present a comparability with blocking to selective
no, because it was obama doing it.

That is not even a counter to the point I made.

How are you claiming comparability to selective and blocking?

Take your time

by The Devil, You Know Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:08 pm

Thorin wrote:
The Devil, You Know wrote:
no, because it was obama doing it.

That is not even a counter to the point I made.

How are you claiming comparability to selective and blocking?

Take your time

I dont need to counter anything I made my point already.

by Guest Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:12 pm

The Devil, You Know wrote:
Thorin wrote:

That is not even a counter to the point I made.

How are you claiming comparability to selective and blocking?

Take your time
I dont need to counter anything I made my point already.

Sorry, and what point would that be?

That you attempted to claim Obama never blocking any media from press conferences, whereas Trump plans to do. To private media chats and your claim to Obama being selective.

So why did Obama have an interview on Fox News with Bill Reily then head?

Is that your view of being selective?

Trump accelerates war on "enemy" media, banning major outlets from press briefing in unprecedented move Giphy

Trump accelerates war on "enemy" media, banning major outlets from press briefing in unprecedented move Giphy

by Original Quill Sat Feb 25, 2017 3:06 am

It will backfire, because then the media will speculate more than ever...with the disclaimer that, The White House refuses to comment. With no WH structure, rumors will abound. Reporters will chase wild stories. Talk about where there's smoke there's fire...reporters will only have smoke, and will chase each other to find leads.

Notice that this all flares up over reports of ties between the Trump campaign people and Russia? All Trump would have to do is allow the investigators in, with full and open disclosure. He doesn't do that, leaving the most pregnant question of all: Why?

Rather, he diverts it into a discussion about leaks. It could be anybody leaking, including his own secretary. So he doesn't want to go there. Rather, he claims the enemy is the press. It's so bizarre, because now no one but his own base believes him. The base won't suffice when he needs the whole country behind him.

It's clear that the enemy is the truth. Where there's smoke, there's mucho fire. He's an amateur...if he were smart he would shut up.

by 'Wolfie Sat Feb 25, 2017 4:39 am

The Devil, You Know wrote:
Thorin wrote:

That is not even a counter to the point I made.

How are you claiming comparability to selective and blocking?

Take your time
I dont need to counter anything I made my point already.

No, you didn't, DYKface..

You simply proved how pointless you really are.

Fits your reputation of "not being the sharpest pencil in the box !"

by veya_victaous Sat Feb 25, 2017 5:19 am

we will really tell if trump is totally against free press in the next televised Media conference if he still blocks them that it is UNPRECEDENTED, nothing like giving extra interviews. this is evading questions.

this move is already unprecedented, (that means nothing has EVER happened like this before) I believe Devil might need help with the big words since he is obviously ignorant.

by The Devil, You Know Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:19 am

interesting piece from that tory supporting murdock run right wing media

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/30/barack-obama-press-freedom-strong-media-stop-donald-trump?CMP=share_btn_tw

by The Devil, You Know Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:21 am

WhoseYourWolfie wrote:
The Devil, You Know wrote:
I dont need to counter anything I made my point already.

No, you didn't, DYKface..

You simply proved how pointless you really are.

Fits your reputation of "not being the sharpest pencil in the box !"

come on polly parrot, have an original thought just once

by The Devil, You Know Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:22 am

veya_victaous wrote:we will really tell if trump is totally against free press in the next televised Media conference if he still blocks them that it is UNPRECEDENTED, nothing like giving extra interviews. this is evading questions.

this move is already unprecedented, (that means nothing has EVER happened like this before) I believe Devil might need help with the big words since he is obviously ignorant.

it is unprecedented, except for all the precedents set by previous presidents having cosy chats with selected journalists.

by Guest Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:26 am

Thorin wrote:
The Devil, You Know wrote:
I dont need to counter anything I made my point already.

Sorry, and what point would that be?

That you attempted to claim Obama never blocking any media from press conferences, whereas Trump plans to do. To private media chats and your claim to Obama being selective.

So why did Obama have an interview on Fox News with Bill Reily then head?

Is that your view of being selective?

lol selective again

I bet Fox news was selective, considering it was hugely hostile to Obama

Deeano strikes again ha ha ha

Laughing

by Guest Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:37 am

Good for him he is right .

by Guest Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:37 am

Vicar of Dibley (vod) wrote:Good for him he is right .

So you are against Free Speech then?

by Guest Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:40 am

Thorin wrote:
Vicar of Dibley (vod) wrote:Good for him he is right .

So you are against Free Speech then?

I'm against lies . Funny how free speech has come into this all of a sudden . One minute we are being told we are bigots morons and racist because of our different views , now its okay for free speech . Rolling Eyes

by The Devil, You Know Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:40 am

Thorin wrote:
Thorin wrote:

Sorry, and what point would that be?

That you attempted to claim Obama never blocking any media from press conferences, whereas Trump plans to do. To private media chats and your claim to Obama being selective.

So why did Obama have an interview on Fox News with Bill Reily then head?

Is that your view of being selective?

lol selective again

I bet Fox news was selective, considering it was hugely hostile to Obama

Deeano strikes again ha ha ha

I refer you to my previous answer again. save the trouble of having to repeat the same thing endlessly to you.

by Guest Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:41 am

Vicar of Dibley (vod) wrote:
Thorin wrote:

So you are against Free Speech then?

I'm against lies . Funny how free speech has come into this all of a sudden . One minute we are being told we are bigots morons and racist because of our different views , now its okay for free speech .

If you are against lies, why on earth do you support Trump then?
He is trying to stifle free speech, by banning media outlets that he does not like.
That is on the verge of Totalitarianism

by Guest Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:42 am

The Devil, You Know wrote:
Thorin wrote:

lol selective again

I bet Fox news was selective, considering it was hugely hostile to Obama

Deeano strikes again ha ha ha

I refer you to my previous answer again. save the trouble of having to repeat the same thing endlessly to you.

You mean your gibberish?

Like I said, please explain the view "selective" on Obama having an interview on Fox news?

Take your time

Laughing

by Guest Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:56 am

Thorin wrote:
Vicar of Dibley (vod) wrote:

I'm against lies . Funny how free speech has come into this all of a sudden . One minute we are being told we are bigots morons and racist because of our different views , now its okay for free speech .

If you are against lies, why on earth do you support Trump then?
He is trying to stifle free speech, by banning media outlets that he does not like.
That is on the verge of Totalitarianism

LOL Trump is the only person telling it how it is- people who voted Brexit and Trump are the people who are seeing through the lies and that's why they voted the way they did .

Maybe we have seen the light at last - years of being drip fed political correctness and how we are to accept everything regardless of the consequences maybe we just have had enough and decided for ourselves and not what we are told to choose .

by Guest Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:59 am

Vicar of Dibley (vod) wrote:
Thorin wrote:

If you are against lies, why on earth do you support Trump then?
He is trying to stifle free speech, by banning media outlets that he does not like.
That is on the verge of Totalitarianism

LOL Trump is the only person telling it how it is- people who voted Brexit and Trump are the people who are seeing through the lies and that's why they voted the way they did .

Maybe we have seen the light at last - years of being drip fed political correctness and how we are to accept everything regardless of the consequences maybe we just have had enough and decided for ourselves and not what we are told to choose .

[size=38]Donald Trump's file[/size]

Trump accelerates war on "enemy" media, banning major outlets from press briefing in unprecedented move NYT_TRUMP_CAMPAIGN_5

Trump accelerates war on "enemy" media, banning major outlets from press briefing in unprecedented move NYT_TRUMP_CAMPAIGN_5

Republican from New York

Donald Trump was elected the 45th president of the United States on Nov. 8, 2016. He has been a real estate developer, entrepreneur and host of the NBC reality show, "The Apprentice." Trump's statements were awarded PolitiFact's 2015 Lie of the Year. Born and raised in New York City, Trump is married to Melania Trump, a former model from Slovenia. Trump has five children and eight grandchildren. Three of his children, Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric, serve as executive vice presidents of the Trump Organization.

http://www.politifact.com/personalities/donald-trump/

So again

If you are against lies, why on earth do you support Trump then?

by veya_victaous Sun Feb 26, 2017 4:46 am

The Devil, You Know wrote:
veya_victaous wrote:we will really tell if trump is totally against free press in the next televised Media conference if he still blocks them that it is UNPRECEDENTED, nothing like giving extra interviews. this is evading questions.

this move is already unprecedented, (that means nothing has EVER happened like this before) I believe Devil might need help with the big words since he is obviously ignorant.
it is unprecedented, except for all the precedents set by previous presidents having cosy chats with selected journalists.

how is having a chat in addition to press conference the same as blocking them from asking questions at all by banning them from the press conference?
what does your statement have to do with Blocking media attending press conferences?

I have to strongly disagree with quill's assertion that you bring anything close to debate to the table Rolling Eyes

by veya_victaous Sun Feb 26, 2017 4:51 am

Vicar of Dibley (vod) wrote:
Thorin wrote:
Vicar of Dibley (vod) wrote:

I'm against lies . Funny how free speech has come into this all of a sudden . One minute we are being told we are bigots morons and racist because of our different views , now its okay for free speech .

If you are against lies, why on earth do you support Trump then?
He is trying to stifle free speech, by banning media outlets that he does not like.
That is on the verge of Totalitarianism

LOL Trump is the only person telling it how it is- people who voted Brexit and Trump are the people who are seeing through the lies and that's why they voted the way they did .

Maybe we have seen the light at last - years of being drip fed political correctness and how we are to accept everything regardless of the consequences maybe we just have had enough and decided for ourselves and not what we are told to choose .

So you think i am justified in banning you?
by Your logic I should not have to accept your Ignorance and evil at all
I should be like Trump and Ban you, because I don't like you...

Or As a mod on a 2 bit forum am I meant to be more just than the leader of the western world?

by 'Wolfie Sun Feb 26, 2017 7:47 am

Vicar of Dibley (vod) wrote:
Thorin wrote:

If you are against lies, why on earth do you support Trump then?
He is trying to stifle free speech, by banning media outlets that he does not like.
That is on the verge of Totalitarianism

LOL Trump is the only person telling it how it is- people who voted Brexit and Trump are the people who are seeing through the lies and that's why they voted the way they did .

Maybe we have seen the light at last - years of being drip fed political correctness and how we are to accept everything regardless of the consequences maybe we just have had enough and decided for ourselves and not what we are told to choose

.

Typical VoD fantasies...

You believe that Trump is truthful, and everybody else is lying ?
You believe that the likes of Trump and Farage are honest ?

Your congenital idiocy shouldn't really surprise anybody here though, should it..

After all, you also believe it's totally okay to peddle false promises and fake products and cures, don't you VoD ?

by Raggamuffin Sun Feb 26, 2017 8:14 am

Vod is just giving her opinion, and two members have attacked her personally. Rolling Eyes

That's not exactly debate is it?

by 'Wolfie Sun Feb 26, 2017 2:58 pm

The Devil, You Know wrote:
WhoseYourWolfie wrote:

No, you didn't, DYKface..

You simply proved how pointless you really are.

Fits your reputation of "not being the sharpest pencil in the box !"
come on polly parrot, have an original thought just once

YOU'RE the one who keeps on repeating the same couple of insults over and over, fuckface...

I've had ten original thoughts for every one that you have posted on here, you illiterate fool -- but then, as English doesn't seem to be your first language, we probably can't expect any better..

Getting a bit lonely over there in your empty flopcave is it, Deano ?

by nicko Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:57 pm

Not really empty,we can say what we think without wankers like you just posting endless insults .

by Original Quill Sun Feb 26, 2017 4:20 pm

NPR wrote:On Tuesday night, President Trump will address a joint session of the Congress for the first time, laying out his case for making the agenda of his campaign the law of the land.

If the press is fake, we will want to miss this televised joint session to Congress on Thursday.

The antidote to Trump's fake news, is to not buy it. If we boycott any news promoting him, we will avoid fake news.

by Andy Sun Feb 26, 2017 4:24 pm

nicko wrote:Not really empty,we can say what we think without wankers like you just posting endless insults .

Not entirely true. Dykbrain only allows posters who agree with his extreme right political view. Those who disagree are banned.
The 2 reasons he is here are
1. There is no debate on his site where 90% of the posters agree with Dyk
2 He is here to recruit more rw'ers for his site.
Sounds a bit like the Trump regime.

by Original Quill Sun Feb 26, 2017 5:12 pm

Angry Andy wrote:
nicko wrote:Not really empty,we can say what we think without wankers like you just posting endless insults .
Not entirely true. Dykbrain only allows posters who agree with his extreme right political view. Those who disagree are banned.
The 2 reasons he is here are
1. There is no debate on his site where 90% of the posters agree with Dyk
2 He is here to recruit more rw'ers for his site.
Sounds a bit like the Trump regime.

I think there is more to Dean's presence on Newsfix than recruitment. First, it would be pretty slim pickin's to seek out conservatives over here. Second, frankly, I believe he too is bored by the total homogeneity on his site. He comes over here to hone his debating skills...and to try out new materials that look promising, acquired on his site from his conservative posters.

It would be totally boring to have no competition.

by veya_victaous Mon Feb 27, 2017 12:43 am

Raggamuffin wrote:Vod is just giving her opinion, and two members have attacked her personally.

That's not exactly debate is it?

Wolf and who? attacked her

I didn't it is clearly calling out her hypocrisy of her opinion.
Give an opinion to have it commented on that is the way debate works.

Her stating that she thinks Trump, who is currently the president of the USA one of the most important positions on earth, is right/correct/good for behaving in a manner that IF a lowly mod on a 2 bit forum behaved like You'd all kick and scream about how terrible I was... Rolling Eyes

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Trump accelerates war on "enemy" media, banning major outlets from press briefing in unprecedented move