Posted on 11/19/2018 1:46:56 PM PST by Kaslin
The White House released new rules for presidential press conferences on Monday in hopes of restoring decorum among reporters. They include the following:
(1) A journalist called upon to ask a question will ask a single question and then will yield the floor to other journalists;
(2) At the discretion of the President or other White House official taking questions, a follow-up question or questions may be permitted; and where a follow up has been allowed and asked, the questioner will then yield the floor;
(3) "Yielding the floor" includes, when applicable, physically surrendering the microphone to White House staff for use by the next questioner.
(4) Failure to abide by any of rules (1)-(3) may result in suspension or revocation of the journalist's hard pass.
"We have created these rules with a degree of regret. For years, members of the White House press corps have attended countless press events with the President and other officials without engaging in the behavior Mr. Acosta displayed at the November 7, 2018 press conference," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders released in a statement. "We would have greatly preferred to continue hosting White House press conferences in reliance on a set of understood professional norms, and we believe the overwhelming majority of journalists covering the White House share that preference. But, given the position taken by CNN, we now feel obligated to replace previously shared practices with explicit rules."
"We are mindful that a more elaborate and comprehensive set of rules might need to be devised, including, for example, for journalist conduct in the open (non-press room) areas inside and outside the White House and for Air Force One," she continued. "At this time however, we have decided not to frame such rules in the hope that professional journalistic norms will suffice to regulate conduct in those places. If 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."
CNN dropped its lawsuit against the White House after the reinstatement of Acosta's hard-pass.
"The White House’s interaction with the press is, and generally should be, subject to a natural give-and-take. President Trump believes strongly in the First Amendment, and a free press and is the most accessible President in modern history," Sanders 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."
Do we think the journalists will play games like “I would like to grant my time back to Acosta to ask a question”
None of this “I’ve got a three-part question” either.
Acosta and CNN management ruined it for the rest of them.
Waste of time. This’ll just get challenged in court too.
Nip it in the bud. Ignore those absurd court stays on obvious executive authority.
I know the rest of the press pack think acosta is a royal rectal vent. They are circling the wagons in a suicide pact with him.
(5) if anyone breaks these rules, the press conference is over.
Pretty poorly drawn up rules if you ask me. They cover those who are “called upon” but do not address people just standing up and asking questions. Also says “may” have pass taken away rather than will have pass taken away. Watch, some lib judge will say that they didn’t make the rules specific enough so they can’t remove the pass because they didn’t violate the rules or the “may” leaves it open to interpretations. Just saying — that’s the way lib judges think and rule.
LOL!!! I LOVE number 3. :-)
Solution: Use two wireless microphones, with two assistants.
When the President points and says “Next” the audio person turns off the first mic, and the second assistant gives the second mic to the next reporter. Then the first mic is retrieved by the first assistant.
If they keep talking, the microphone gets reeled.
If they grasp onto the microphone, carry them (high above the gathered journalists) *******
Taking “Mic Drop!” To a whole new level! Love it!
Needed to happen.
Would be great if that happens and his name is the thing. You know, in 2024, when the press gets arrogant, they will say “Watch out for Brendan. He will acosta every time.”
Rule 5: at the earliest opportunity Jim Acosta will be dropped out of Air Force One, without a parachute.
Actually, the president or the press secretary should ask the reporter to defend what their outlet has said or written, then the reporter gets to ask a question.
Is there a rule against scrawling Jim Acosta is a b@#$ch on the walls of WH lavatories?
Acosta will be present to remind everyone why they don’t watch CNN.
“....or if a court should decide that explicit rules are required to regulate conduct there, we will be forced to reconsider this decision.”
I really like this comment.
It points to the questionability of the Judicial Branch involving itself in an Executive Branch matter.
More importantly, it underscores the irony of how the Courts’ involvement will only lead to further restrictions on the press, not freedom.
Sarah Sanders is a clever girl.
These rules won't last a week before a judge directs that they be withdrawn.
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