NEW YORK—Responding to White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s decision to bar credentialed reporters from the New York Times, CNN, and POLITICO from today’s press briefing, PEN Executive Director Suzanne Nossel released the following statement:
“The White House’s decision to bar leading US news outlets that serve tens of millions from a White House briefing impairs the flow of information and does a grave disservice to the American people. The Administration has no trouble making its own case to the public when it so chooses. Consistent with centuries of tradition President Trump must allow the media access to his administration without fear or favor, trusting our citizenry to weigh the information they receive. The President’s worries over probing questions and damaging revelations cannot outweigh his duty to allow the American people to gain the information and insight they deserve.”
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PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.
CONTACT: Sarah Edkins, Director of Communications: [email protected], +1.646.779.4830