The White House is preparing to shake up the James S. Brady press briefing room in its latest move to upend the power of the press corps, an official confirmed to the Daily Caller.
The White House is planning to change the seating arrangement of its briefing room, which has long been dictated by the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), to include new media, podcasters and social media influencers, Axios first reported. The seating arrangement is currently restricted to certain outlets approved by the WHCA, but the White House is hoping to restructure the room “based on metrics more reflective of how media is consumed today.”
“The goal isn’t merely favorable coverage,” a White House official, who was granted anonymity to discuss plans that haven’t been announced, told Axios. “It’s truly an honest look at consumption [of the outlets’ coverage]. Influencers are important but it’s tough because they aren’t [equipped to provide] consistent coverage. So the ability to cover the White House is part of the metrics.”
The new setup would aim to still include TV, print and digital outlets while also working in online influencers and newer organizations like Axios, NOTUS and Punchbowl, Axios reported.
‘The White House