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The White House's decision to hold press briefings without audio or video recording sparks a confrontation with the press corps, particularly CNN. Reporters argue that off-camera "gaggles" are a disservice to the American people, while the hosts suggest the administration is trying to prevent the media from misusing video clips. The term "gaggle" is explored through its dictionary definition as a "disorderly group of people" or a flock of geese.
White House Press Gaggle Exclusions and Media Boycotts
Press Secretary Sean Spicer excluded several major outlets, including CNN and The New York Times, from an informal "gaggle" briefing, prompting a solidarity boycott by the Associated Press and Time Magazine. The AP's Sally Busby defended the boycott on PBS, arguing that deliberate exclusion is "dangerous territory." The hosts note that the event was a pool report, meaning the excluded outlets still had access to the audio content.
