It appears that CNN has indeed made a controversial decision regarding media access to the presidential debate this evening. According to recent reports, CNN has rejected the White House Correspondents’ Association’s (WHCA) request to allow a pool reporter to be present in the debate studio for the duration of the event. This move has raised concerns about potential bias and a lack of transparency, as some may view it as an attempt to manipulate the debate in favor of President Biden. The White House press pool has expressed disappointment in CNN’s decision, which could limit the availability of firsthand accounts and objective reporting from within the debate venue.
The White House Correspondents Association released the following statement: WHCA is deeply concerned that CNN has rejected our repeated requests to include the White House travel pool inside the studio. Through conversations and advocacy, we urged CNN to grant access to at least one print pool reporter for the duration of the debate. WHCA has been informed that one print reporter will be permitted to enter the studio during a commercial break to briefly observe the setting. That is not sufficient in our view and diminishes a core principle of presidential coverage. The White House pool has a duty to document, report and witness the president’s events and his movements on behalf of the American people.
The pool is there for the “what ifs?” in a world where the unexpected does happen.
The pool reporter works on behalf of the entire White House press corps. Print pool reports are an important part of the historical record. Further, the pool is screened by the US Secret Service and travels with the president on Air Force One so there is no security issue. The Biden campaign told WHCA it supports our request. The Trump campaign told WHCA it would not oppose the inclusion of the White House pool reporter. The Trump campaign has a separate press corps.
Tonight’s debate will have no audience present and includes format rules that can silence candidates’ microphones. We don’t know how this will play out in real time. A pool reporter is there to observe what is said and done when microphones are off or when either candidate is not seen on camera but may speak, gesture, move, or engage in some way.
WHCA believes this principle of coverage matters. The White House travel pool has been included in past presidential debates and we believe that standard of access is essential. Precedent matters for future debates.