The White House limits reporters’ access to its press office news

Yesterday, Friday, the administration of US President Donald Trump prevented press reporters from entering a section of the White House Press Office, justifying this by the need to protect “sensitive material.”

The National Security Council announced the new measure at the White House in a memorandum entitled “Protecting Sensitive Material in the Upper Press Area.”

The memo, sent to White House Communications Director Stephen Cheung, stated that reporters were “no longer permitted” to visit the section that houses White House Press Secretary Carolyn Leavitt’s office “without prior approval by appointment.”

Reporters are now prohibited from entering without prior appointment the “senior press area,” which is located near the Oval Office and includes the office of White House spokeswoman Carolyn Leavitt.

Reporters come to this area in an attempt to speak to Levitt or senior media officials in order to obtain or confirm information.

“This policy will ensure adherence to best practices regarding access to sensitive materials,” the memo added.

Cheung later defended the decision – on the X platform – saying, “Some reporters were caught secretly recording video and audio clips of our offices, in addition to photographing sensitive information, without permission.”

“Ministers routinely come to our offices to attend private meetings, only to be ambushed by reporters waiting outside our doors,” he added, accusing the reporters of “eavesdropping on closed private meetings.”

Cheung, a longtime Trump supporter known for his aggressive approach against social media, did not provide any evidence for the allegations.

Media representatives still have access to the “lower press area” next to the famous White House briefing room, where lower-ranking press officials have their offices.

These measures come in light of broader restrictions imposed on journalists by the Trump administration, including a new list of rules at the Pentagon that major media outlets – including Agence France-Presse – refused to sign earlier this month.

The Trump administration has radically modified the work of reporters in the White House since his return to power, preventing major media outlets from accessing the Oval Office or Air Force One, while granting right-wing pro-Trump media more space.

American media reported that the administration of former Democratic President Bill Clinton also sought to restrict access to the upper press area, before backing down.