📺White House overhauls press pool selection after decades of tradition

Since 1914, the White House Correspondents' Association has independently selected pool reporters to prevent presidents from choosing only friendly journalists—when administrations control reporter access, they can silence criticism and manipulate public information

Pool reporters serve as the public's eyes and ears when only limited media can attend events—historically, presidents who restricted press access (like Nixon during Watergate) used secrecy to hide wrongdoing from citizens

The First Amendment protects press freedom because journalists serve as a check on government power—when officials control which reporters can ask questions, they effectively control what information reaches the public

Independent journalist selection ensures diverse questioning that reveals different perspectives—when presidents hand-pick reporters, they create echo chambers that prevent tough questions and critical analysis essential for informed citizenship