The Associated Press (AP) accused the White House of violating the First Amendment and demanded an end to the blocking of its reporters from press events.
an executive order signing in the Oval Office and an evening press event in the Diplomatic Room.
Pace further alleged that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had informed an AP reporter that the news organization's access to the Oval Office would be restricted if it did not start using the term "Gulf of America" to refer to the Gulf of Mexico. President Trump had ordered U.S. authorities to make the change to official maps in an executive order on his first day in office.
"The actions taken by the White House were plainly intended to punish The A.P. for the content of its speech," Pace wrote in the letter. "It is among the most basic tenets of the First Amendment that the government cannot retaliate against the public or the press for what they say. This is viewpoint discrimination based on a news organization's editorial choices and a clear violation of the First Amendment.
5 Comments
Comandante
“The narrative that this is a First Amendment violation feels one-sided. There are operational concerns that justify these actions.”
Africa
“Before calling it viewpoint discrimination, consider that every organization must comply with official terminologies. No special treatment here.”
Bella Ciao
“If the government uses its authority to force language changes, then it's crossing a constitutional line. We must demand transparency and respect for free speech.”
Muchacha
“This sounds like a politically motivated attack against the press. The White House is simply maintaining its message and protocol.”
Mariposa
“It feels like the AP is being opportunistic. If a reporter is blocked for not using mandated language, let’s not call it a First Amendment crisis immediately.”