The Associated Press and Reuters slammed the Trump White House this week. The administration cut traditional wire service slots from the rotating press pool. Both outlets fired back with strong statements.
"We are deeply disappointed that the administration has chosen to restrict the access of all wire services, whose fast and accurate White House coverage informs billions of people every single day, rather than reinstate The Associated Press to the wire pool," said AP spokesperson Lauren Easton.
Easton didn’t hold back. "The wire services represent thousands of news organizations across the U.S. and the world over," she said. "Our coverage is used by local newspapers and television stations in all 50 states to inform their communities. The administration’s actions continue to disregard the fundamental American freedom to speak without government control or retaliation."
Wire services like AP, Reuters, and AFP distribute news to a vast network. Their stories appear in local and national outlets daily. Cutting their access could shift how Americans receive White House coverage.
According to the New York Post, the White House removed wire reporters’ guaranteed access after AP won a court case. The case stemmed from AP refusing to use the administration’s preferred term "Gulf of America" instead of "Gulf of Mexico."
The AP called it "the latest attempt by the new administration to control coverage of its activities." Reuters echoed the concern.
"Reuters news coverage reaches billions of people each day, mostly through the thousands of news organizations around the world that subscribe to Reuters services," a spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "It is essential to democracy that the public have access to independent, impartial and accurate news about their government."
"Any steps by the U.S. government to limit access to the President threatens that principle, both for the public and the world’s media," the Reuters rep added. "We remain committed to covering the White House in an impartial, accurate and independent way, in keeping with the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles."
Bloomberg also responded. "We deeply regret the decision to remove that permanent level of scrutiny and accountability," said editor-in-chief John Micklethwait.
The White House plans to set aside a rotating slot for "print" outlets, including wire services. Traditionally, AP, Reuters, or Bloomberg always had a permanent seat at limited-space events. That longstanding practice may now be over.