The topic of discussion for this
Constitution Monday concerns Freedom of the Press. This freedom came to
forefront of national discussion about two weeks ago when the White House
pulled the press pass of CNN chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta.
The pass was pulled just hours after
Acosta refused to be civil at a post-midterms news conference. He was given an
opportunity to ask questions of the President, but he turned his opportunity
into a challenge and then refused to give the microphone to other reporters.
This is not the first time that
Acosta has been antagonistic in press conferences. He has repeatedly sought
attention in pressers and sulked whenever he did not receive the spotlight. He
often acts as though the spotlight is his God-given right. In this case, Acosta
continued to ask questions after another reporter had been called upon and
physically stopped an intern from taking the microphone away. Several hours
after the incident, the White House pulled his “hard pass” for his incivility.
CNN and Acosta took the case to
court and were supported by other news outlets. Federal Judge Timothy J. Kelly,
a Trump appointee, ruled that the White House did not give Acosta his “due
process” or opportunity to be heard before pulling his hard pass. The judge
ruled that the White House had to provide due process to Acosta before the pass
could be revoked.
Acosta and CNN seem to think that
they won the case, but other people are claiming that Trump won and other
reporters will hate Acosta. You see, the administration drawing up a list of
rules for proper decorum in the White House to keep reporters such as Acosta in
their proper place. There were many reporters – somewhere around 150 - in the
room when Acosta went on his rant. They were unable to ask questions because
Acosta hogged the spotlight and refused to give up the microphone.
Trump said that he will thank the
reporters for coming and then leave any press conference if a similar situation
arises. This writer expects that the rules of decorum will include something
about shouting out questions when not called upon, making statements instead of
asking questions, and issuing challenges to the President.
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