For a long time, the White House's official press briefings have been an almost daily routine for many US journalists. However, spokeswoman Sarah Sanders has rarely come to the podium lately - US President Donald Trump blamed the media for doing so.
The reason Sanders is rarely on the podium in the press room is the "rude" and "incorrect" coverage of their comments, Trump wrote on Twitter. Most media never reported "fair" about their government, which is why they are referred to as "fake news". He told Sanders to "not go crazy" about the briefings, Trump wrote. The message of the White House can be delivered without these briefings.
The White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) criticized Trump's comments. WHCA President Oliver Knox spoke of a "withdrawal from transparency and accountability," which set a terrible precedent.
The reason Sarah Sanders does not go to the "podium" much longer is that the rudely & inaccurately, in particular certain members of the press. I told her not to bother, the word gets out anyway! Most will never cover us fairly & hence, the term, fake news!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2019More informal communication
The formal briefings in the White House press room have become a rarity: the most recent of these was Sanders on December 18 last year. Instead, she often speaks informally and spontaneously with journalists. On these occasions, the reporters have less time and opportunity to ask questions and follow up.
On January 3, she had again invited to a press briefing in the White House, but then announced only "a very special guest": Trump, although he spoke to journalists, but did not accept questions. The president often communicates with the media himself, albeit in a rather unusual way: on the sidelines of cabinet meetings or before boarding the presidential helicopter. Then he often takes questions too.
According to the impartial "White House Transition Project" Trump exchanges his actions more often with media representatives than his predecessors Barack Obama or George W. Bush.
Fewer questions at press conferences
Trump is critical of most of the US media. He accuses these media of being biased and hostile about his presidency. Again and again, the president has personally attacked individual journalists. Prominent CNN reporter Jim Acosta was denied accreditation for a short time last November following a war of words. Even conservative broadcaster Fox News, who is generally friendly with Trump, supported a CNN lawsuit against Acosta's expulsion.
When Acosta regained its accreditation, new rules for press conferences were adopted at the same time - which mean worse conditions for journalists as a whole: According to CNN, journalists are only allowed to ask the president more than one question after explicit permission. Violations could be punished with suspension or withdrawal of accreditation. Before that follow-up questions were common and were not punished.