White House restores full press-credentials of CNN reporter Jim Acosta
The White House has restored the full press credentials of CNN reporter Jim Acosta, less than two weeks after it temporarily suspended them following the journalist's altercation with President Trump during a news conference. The Trump administration's decision came after a judge ordered that Acosta could continue reporting at the White House. Following this, CNN announced to withdraw its lawsuit against the White House.
CNN declared to withdraw the lawsuit against White House
Acosta's pass was restored on Federal District Court's order
During a news conference on November 7, a WH intern tried to take the microphone from Acosta as he attempted to ask the President a follow-up question. Trump called Acosta "a rude, terrible person" and his hard pass was temporarily suspended. CNN challenged the decision in a Federal District Court, which overruled the White House's order. Acosta's hard pass was temporarily restored on Friday.
Jim Acosta looking forward to return to the White House
White House issued 'rules governing future press conferences'
Announcing its decision yesterday, the White House also issued "rules governing future press conferences" pertaining to reporters covering the news conferences of either Trump or senior administration officials. As per the new White House (WH) guidelines, a reporter can ask a single question and permission for a follow up will be subject to the discretion of the individual who is holding the news conference.
White House might cancel reporter's press credentials on violating rules
Listing out the rules, Sanders said a journalist will ask a single question and then yield the floor to other journalists, which means, when applicable, physically surrendering the microphone to White House staff for use by the next questioner. Any violation of the rule might result in revocation of the press credentials, Sanders said, as she announced the restoration of full access to Acosta.
WHCA welcomed the decision of Trump administration
The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) welcomed the decision of the Trump administration and asserted that a free and independent news media played a vital role in the health of a republic. "The White House did the right thing in restoring Acosta's hard pass," Olivier Knox, WHCA President said. "The WHCA had no role in crafting any procedures for future press conferences," he said.
Sanders blames Acosta's behavior for introducing new strict rules
However, in her lengthy statement, Sanders noted that White House created the new rules with a degree of regret. "We would have greatly preferred to continue hosting White House press conferences in reliance on a set of understood professional norms. But, given the position taken by CNN, we now feel obligated to replace previously shared practices with explicit rules," she said.
WH thinks comprehensive set of rules need to be devised
Sanders said the WH was mindful that a more comprehensive set of rules might need to be devised, including, for example, for a journalist conduct in open (non-press room) areas inside, outside the WH and for Air Force One. "However, we've decided not to frame such rules in the hope that professional journalistic norms will suffice to regulate conduct in those places," she said.
Sanders warns journalists of unprofessional behavior in White House
"If the unprofessional behavior occurs in those settings, or if a court should decide that explicit rules are required to regulate conduct there, we will be forced to reconsider this decision," Sanders said, adding WH's interaction with the press is subject to a natural give-and-take.
President Trump believes strongly in free press: US Press Secretary
"President Trump believes strongly in the First Amendment, and a free press and is the most accessible President in modern history," said Sanders. She further said, "It would be a great loss for all if, instead of relying on the professionalism of White House journalists, we were compelled to devise a lengthy and detailed code of conduct for White House events."
