Summary
The White House has a long history of controlling media access to shape public opinion and influence press coverage, a practice that predates the Trump administration and has been employed by numerous presidents to promote their agendas.
Government Media Control Tactics
The US government has been weaponizing media access for over a century, using controlled access to official briefings and restricted facilities to shape public opinion and the media landscape.
Embedding journalists with US forces in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq has been an effective tactic for the government to control war perception while appearing to embrace transparency.
Media Compliance and Manipulation
The US government’s approach transforms journalists into “lap dogs” rather than watchdogs by granting access and accreditation in exchange for favorable coverage.
The White House press pool, formally established by President Eisenhower in the 1950s, gives the appearance of media freedom while the White House retains complete control over eligible outlets.
International Parallels
Governments worldwide, including Ukraine and Israel, use similar tactics of revoking credentials or restricting access for foreign journalists to control narratives and suppress unfavorable reporting.