The White House is planning a controversial renovation of its press briefing room that may shift front-row seats from legacy outlets like CNN and The New York Times to digital influencers, podcasters, and independent creators.
A senior official said the goal is to “modernize” access to reflect how Americans now consume news.
The White House Correspondents’ Association pushed back, warning that popularity metrics shouldn’t determine press access.
Critics say the move could symbolize government overreach into press freedom, especially alongside reports that Politico received \$8.2 million in federal contracts.
No final seating plan has been released, but the debate highlights tensions between traditional journalism and emerging media platforms.