Despite a court order prohibiting the Trump administration from punishing the Associated Press (AP) for refusing to rename the Gulf of Mexico, the AP was barred from a Monday Oval Office news conference. The administration is appealing the court decision and a hearing is scheduled for Thursday to address the delay in implementing the ruling. The AP’s access to White House events has been restricted since mid-February, stemming from its refusal to comply with the president’s executive order. While the court protected the AP’s free speech, the extent of future access remains uncertain.
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A federal judge ruled that the White House must restore the Associated Press’s access to events where other journalists are permitted, citing a First Amendment violation. The judge found that the administration’s restriction of AP access, based on their refusal to use President Trump’s preferred name for the Gulf of Mexico, constituted viewpoint discrimination. The ruling mandates equal access for AP, not unrestricted access for all journalists. The White House’s claim of simply narrowing the press pool was rejected by the judge, who deemed their reasoning “brazen.” The decision is a victory for free speech advocates.
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A federal judge ordered the White House to reinstate the Associated Press’s full access to presidential events, citing First Amendment violations. The judge ruled that the government cannot retaliate against the AP for its editorial decisions, specifically its refusal to adopt the President’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. This preliminary injunction is a significant win for the AP amidst broader White House challenges to press freedom. While the ruling doesn’t guarantee the AP permanent access, it prevents discriminatory treatment based on viewpoint. The White House was given a week to respond or appeal.
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A federal judge ruled that the White House violated the First Amendment by barring Associated Press journalists from White House and Air Force One events due to the AP’s refusal to adopt the President’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. Judge Trevor McFadden’s order, temporarily stayed until Sunday to allow for appeal, mandates that the White House cannot selectively restrict access based on viewpoint. The ruling emphasizes that while the AP is not entitled to preferential treatment, the government cannot deny access to journalists based on their reporting choices. The AP welcomed the decision as an affirmation of press freedom.
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Founded in 1846, the Associated Press (AP) is a leading independent global news organization committed to delivering unbiased, factual reporting. AP’s news reaches over half the world’s population daily, solidifying its position as a trusted source for fast and accurate information across all media. The organization also provides essential technology and services to the news industry. This commitment to accuracy and global reach ensures AP remains a vital pillar of the modern news landscape.
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Right-wing influencer Tim Pool, who received payments from a Russian-funded media company, Tenet Media, to promote Kremlin narratives, has been granted access to the White House press pool. This decision follows the White House’s removal of the D.C. press corps’ authority to select pool members, opening the door to pro-administration figures while simultaneously barring the Associated Press. Pool’s inclusion, despite allegations of unknowingly participating in a Russian propaganda scheme, raises concerns about journalistic integrity and access to the President. The AP, excluded for refusing to comply with White House demands, now faces limited access, relying on less experienced reporters and potentially biased influencers for coverage.
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The U.S. Agency for Global Media, overseeing Voice of America (VOA), terminated contracts with The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse, aiming to save an estimated $53 million. This decision, announced by newly appointed special advisor Kari Lake, directs VOA journalists to cease using wire service content. The move reflects a broader effort to increase VOA’s self-produced content and comes amidst strained relations between the current administration and the press. This action has been met with silence from the affected wire services.
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The Associated Press (AP) filed an amended lawsuit against the White House, seeking to overturn a ban on its journalists’ access to presidential events. The White House’s actions, described as retaliatory for AP’s refusal to comply with a presidential renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, have limited AP’s access to smaller events and even larger White House functions. This has resulted in delays and hampered the AP’s ability to provide timely news coverage. The ban, affecting both reporters and photographers, is viewed as a direct attack on press freedom and the public’s right to information. Dozens of news organizations, including some supportive of the president, have urged the White House to reverse its decision.
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A US judge denied the Associated Press’s request for immediate White House access reinstatement following a ban stemming from a dispute over the term “Gulf of America.” The Trump administration, citing the AP’s refusal to adopt the president’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico, maintains its decision to bar the agency from presidential events. The judge scheduled a further hearing for March 20th to address the AP’s claim that the ban violates First Amendment rights. The AP vows to continue its fight for press freedom, while the White House celebrated the initial ruling.
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A federal judge denied the Associated Press’s request for a temporary restraining order against a White House ban restricting their access to President Trump’s events. While expressing skepticism about the ban’s legality and describing it as “discriminatory,” the judge cited a lack of “irreparable harm” to the AP and scheduled a hearing for March 20th to consider a preliminary injunction. The White House maintains its position, asserting that access to the President is a privilege, not a right. The AP, supported by numerous news organizations, argues the ban violates the First and Fifth Amendments.
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John Q. Hosedrinker