The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University has filed an amicus brief in a case brought by The Associated Press (AP) challenging the Trump administration’s decision to exclude its reporters from White House press pool briefings. The Institute argues that the ban is an unconstitutional viewpoint-based restriction on speech, and that the press pool is a protected First Amendment public forum that serves an essential and unique role in our democracy.
“The White House press pool is an institution that has long benefited presidents and press alike. By providing journalists direct access to observe and question the president, the press pool enables independent reporting that facilitates free discussion of governmental affairs,” said Katie Fallow, deputy litigation director at the Knight Institute. “This case is not just about the AP’s First Amendment rights. It’s also about the ability of the American public to receive information about the president, free from government censorship.”
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