Gannon Update (White House Correspondents' Association Says No Changes Needed)

National Review Online (The Corner) ^ | February 28, 2005 | Byron York

[MisterRepublican]

Today the White House Correspondents' Association released a statement indicating that it will not call for any changes in the White House press credentialing system in the wake of the Jeff Gannon matter. The statement reads, in full:

"Since 1914, the White House Correspondents' Association has operated independently of the White House and the White House credentialing process. We intend for the White House Correspondents' Association to remain independent of that process.

"Consistent with the First Amendment, the White House Correspondents' Association stands for inclusiveness in the credentialing process so that the White House remains accessible to all journalists. We hope that individual episodes do not obscure the broader principles of a fair and evenhanded credentialing process that serves the goal of free and full exchange of information."

Some anti-Bush groups, among them David Brock's Media Matters for America, have called on the White House to limit access to press briefings. White House correspondents have generally opposed such a move, and today Correspondents' Association president Ron Hutcheson (of Knight-Ridder newspapers) told National Review that the organization also opposes any new limits. "If we ever felt like [Bush press secretary Scott McClellan] or anybody else at the White House was applying some sort of ideological screen, we'd raise a stink," Hutcheson said, adding that, "we're not proposing any changes."

[BigSkyFreeper]

Some anti-Bush groups, among them David Brock's Media Matters for America, have called on the White House to limit access to press briefings.

Meanwhile Liberals were charging that the White House was too secretive.

[EllaMinnow]

BTTT and ping.

[cyncooper]

Thanks for the ping.

Isn't Brock the most sniveling little simp.

Gosh, he gets on my nerves.

LOL