(WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dec. 17, 2013) – Today, the White House News Photographers Association joined other industry leaders, including the White House Correspondents Association, the American Society of News Editors, Associated Press Media Editors, National Press Photographers Association and representatives of the television network pool at a meeting with White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, members of his staff, and White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler. This meeting was a follow-up to the Nov. 21, 2013 letter, subscribed to by over 30 news organizations, concerning access for photographers, and it follows WHNPA’s other correspondence with the White House on this issue dating back to 2009.
The meeting focus was on the issue of access, with “a presumption of meaningful and consistent access” to the President when doing the people’s business in public areas of the White House. In the discussion that followed, Carney promised the White House Press Office would look for ways to increase photographer’s access. The meeting ended with an agreement to develop a working group focused on specific access issues. The group will form after the first of the year. THE WHNPA looks forward to continuing its leading role in the discussion of this issue.
