Nobody said that making changes was easy and sometimes, people may not be as quick to adopt change as they should. It seems as if a journalist found out too late, and now they are barred from covering the White House.
The Associated Press journalist was blocked from covering two major events at the White House because they are still using the term, ‘Gulf Of Mexico’. This is not something that sits well with President Trump, as he recently signed an order to change the name officially to the Gulf of America.
According to some reports, the AP reporter was going to be on-site to cover two events but the White House blocked them. In part, this is the fault of the Associated Press themselves.
The recommendation from the AP is that its reporters should use the original name, the Gulf of Mexico. They should also note the new name, and their stylebook states: “The Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years. Refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen.”
This stylebook goes on to say: “Trump’s order only carries authority within the United States. Mexico, as well as other countries and international bodies, do not have to recognize the name change.”
According to the executive editor of the Associated Press, Julie Pace, the objection comes from the Associated Press and the ‘strongest possible terms’. They disagree strongly with the reporter being restricted.
The letter written by Pace, which was shared with NPR referenced the White House’s chief spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt. It said that the reporter would be restricted from accessing the Oval Office if they didn’t immediately adopt the new name for the Gulf of America.
Pace wrote: “The actions taken by the White House were plainly intended to punish the AP for the content of its speech.
“It is among the most basic tenets of the First Amendment that the government cannot retaliate against the public or the press for what they say.”
In addition, it was stated that the AP would ‘vigorously defend its constitutional rights and protest the infringement on the public’s right to independent news coverage of their government and elected officials.’
Leavitt answered the Associated Press saying: “It is a privilege to cover this White House.
“Nobody has the right to go into the Oval Office and ask the president of the United States questions. That’s an invitation that is given.
“I was very upfront in my briefing on day one that if we feel that there are lies being pushed by outlets in this room, we are going to hold those lies accountable.
“And it is a fact that the body of water off the coast of Louisiana is called the Gulf of America. And I’m not sure why news outlets don’t want to call it that.”
