News Organizations push back on White House photo restrictions

Thirty eight news organizations signed a letter to White House press secretary Jay Carney protesting a strict policy that greatly limits news photographers’ access to President Obama.   As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Poynter and others, and recapped on iMediaEthics.com, several news organizations state they will not use any photographs or footage provided by the White House, except for the rare occasions involving national security restrictions on press access.

The letter suggests White House restrictions are similar to censorship, saying,

“As surely as if they were placing a hand over a journalist’s camera lens, officials in this administration are blocking the public from having an independent view of important functions of the Executive Branch of government.”

Read the complete iMediaEthics article here.