The White House has decided to remove the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) from the press pool during President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Scotland, after the newspaper published an article linking Trump to American financier Jeffrey Epstein.
White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt announced that the change was made due to the newspaper’s “false and defamatory conduct,” specifically in connection with a July 17 article that dealt with Epstein’s 50th birthday gifts, including a letter with Trump’s name and a drawing, CNN reported.
White House Cites “Defamatory Conduct”
Trump sued the WSJ, claiming the story was defamatory, while the White House used its control over access to the president to punish the newspaper owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
Leavitt emphasized that WSJ journalists not connected to the Epstein report would not be allowed to accompany the president during the visit.
Access to the president was previously regulated by the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), but in February, the White House took over control, raising concerns among journalists about possible political censorship.
“There is no legal obligation for a news organization to be guaranteed access to report on the president,” Leavitt added, explaining that 13 other media outlets would participate in the press pool.
Media Freedom Organizations Condemn Decision
The White House’s decision has been condemned by organizations supporting media freedom.
WHCA President Weijia Jiang said that such government measures threaten press freedom and called on the White House to reinstate the Wall Street Journal into the press pool.
The newspaper has not commented on this White House decision but had previously defended the accuracy of its reporting on Epstein.
Organizations for the protection of media freedom consider the administration’s action unconstitutional and contrary to the First Amendment.
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Source: Tanjug; Foto: EPA-EFE / FRANCIS CHUNG / POOL