The Associated Press has been barred from certain events at the White House after it has failed to fall in line by calling the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America at the behest of Donald Trump and his administration. Conservative cable news channel Newsmax has said it supports the AP on principle.
A letter to the Trump administration, signed by more than 40 news outlets, has shared that the news media will stand in solidarity against any pushback due to failing to simply act in the manner in which the administration wishes.
One of the more surprising names on the list of those who had signed the letter was Newsmax. The network has been one of the most ardent supporters of Donald Trump in the past. It was joined by conservative cable news giant Fox News in pushing back against the response to the Associated Press.
However, Newsmax company stated that, on principle, it could not agree with the sentiment that the executive branch of the federal government should be involved in the editorial process of any news media organization.
“We can understand President Trump’s frustration because the media has often been unfair to him, but Newsmax still supports the AP’s right, as a private organization, to use the language it wants to use in its reporting,” the company said in a statement to Barrett Media.
“We fear a future administration may not like something Newsmax writes and seek to ban us. This is why news organizations like Newsmax and Fox News are supporting the AP’s First Amendment rights though we may disagree with its editorial point of view from time to time.”
Trump administration officials have stated they will not walk back their denial of access to the Associated Press until the organization falls in line with its recommended use of the term Gulf of America.
“The Associated Press continues to ignore the lawful geographic name change of the Gulf of America. This decision is not just divisive, but it also exposes the Associated Press’ commitment to misinformation,” White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich said on social media.
“While their right to irresponsible and dishonest reporting is protected by the First Amendment, it does not ensure their privilege of unfettered access to limited spaces, like the Oval Office and Air Force One. Going forward, that space will now be opened up to the many thousands of reporters who have been barred from covering these intimate areas of the administration. Associate Press journalists and photographers will retain their credentials to the White House complex.”
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