Live data from Hacker News

White House Bars NYT, CNN, and Politico from Briefing

nytimes.com

21–30 of 407 posts

Re: White House Bars NYT, CNN, and Politico from Briefing

#21
post #8

Well done to Time and AP, who skipped in protest.

While I agree on the whole solidarity thing, isn't it better to have more news organizations at the press briefings?

They would probably be banned later anyways. Makes sense for them to pre-emptively not attend.

That said, I do appreciate their taking a stand on principle. Just pointing out the likely future outcome.

Re: White House Bars NYT, CNN, and Politico from Briefing

#22

For anyone who has actually watched these press briefings in their entirety: Does anyone else think these are pretty much the worst way to get to the bottom of issues? Here's how it seems to work: * The press secretary (or President, or whoever) makes a statement * He or she chooses a journalist to ask a question * Journalist asks question * Press secretary answers question in as much or as little detail as he/she wa…

"Asked about X, press secretary didn't provide more details." is still interesting information. Well... during more normal times anyways.

I do agree it could be more transparent and useful than a reality show however.

Re: White House Bars NYT, CNN, and Politico from Briefing

#24
post #6

Only the AP choose to not attend out of solidarity? Shame on ABC, CBS, and the rest.

In all fairness, did they know it happened? I'll reserve judgement.

If AP and Time knew and skipped out, they definitely knew as well.

Re: White House Bars NYT, CNN, and Politico from Briefing

#25
post #7

Is there a historic precedent for this?

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/63167-congression...

It's not a 100% precise match, but I'd look dimly on anyone trying to argue it's completely different somehow. Reverse the affiliations and you'd almost think it was written today. (Almost.)

Re: White House Bars NYT, CNN, and Politico from Briefing

#28
Barring the NYT is a shame. Not sure about Politico. CNN, on the other hand, has become a cesspool compared to its early days of reporting.

Edit: Come on, HN. That downvote arrow doesn't mean "I disagree, politically". Let's not look like the Share Blue-infested mess that is /r/politics on Reddit.

Re: White House Bars NYT, CNN, and Politico from Briefing

#29

For anyone who has actually watched these press briefings in their entirety: Does anyone else think these are pretty much the worst way to get to the bottom of issues? Here's how it seems to work: * The press secretary (or President, or whoever) makes a statement * He or she chooses a journalist to ask a question * Journalist asks question * Press secretary answers question in as much or as little detail as he/she wa…

I feel like the modern Press Briefing in the USA is a form of the completely useless Canadian "Question Period."

Re: White House Bars NYT, CNN, and Politico from Briefing

#30

For anyone who has actually watched these press briefings in their entirety: Does anyone else think these are pretty much the worst way to get to the bottom of issues? Here's how it seems to work: * The press secretary (or President, or whoever) makes a statement * He or she chooses a journalist to ask a question * Journalist asks question * Press secretary answers question in as much or as little detail as he/she wa…

(Responding to my own comment) I guess Churchill would say, "Democracy, the worst form of government, except all the others that have been tried." That doesn't mean we can't improve. Press briefings just seem broken.
Post reply on HN