CNN bans White House reporters from debate room

The press corps, which includes representatives from major news organizations including Reuters, accompanies the president on domestic and international trips and is usually allowed to attend any event where the president speaks or makes public appearances. It is rare for them to be barred from an event in the United States.

Scene of the first debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump in the 2024 US election. Photo: Reuters

"The WHCA is deeply concerned that CNN has repeatedly denied our requests to bring a White House crew into the studio," Kelly O'Donnell, president of the White House Correspondents' Association, said in a statement.

O'Donnell said both the Biden and Trump campaigns agreed to the WHCA's request. CNN only agreed to allow one White House print reporter into the studio during a commercial break to "take a quick look at the scene."

The network will also allow still photographers from other agencies to shoot the candidates in studio and will provide television feeds of the debate to other networks.

CNN has instituted several other rules for the first face-off including two commercial breaks, no props and muted microphones unless it's the candidates' turn to speak.

CNN said in a statement that it is a member of the WHCA and respects the group's role in advancing freedom and access to the press. But the debate was held without a studio audience and without the press.

Hoang Anh (according to Reuters, CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cnn-cam-nhom-phong-vien-nha-trang-vao-phong-tranh-luan-post301300.html