Would anyone be interested in seeing both President Obama and Gov. Scott Walker appear on stage at a white-tie dinner to deliver humorous speeches? Quite a few reporters would, but as CBS News’ Mark Knoller reports, television cameras, radio microphones and still cameras are banned from this year’s Gridiron Club dinner. A reporter from the print pool will be allowed in to take notes, however.
As Knoller reports, that’s a step up from previous years, when press coverage was sometimes banned altogether. The irony might not be apparent without knowing that the Gridiron Club comprises an elite group of Washington D.C. reporters, editors and bureau chiefs.
On the president’s weekend schedule is the annual Gridiron event, a press dinner from which some of the WH press pool is barred.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) March 13, 2015
The Gridiron is comprised of DC's journalistic elite, but the TV, radio & photo components of the WH press pool won't get to cover the Pres.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) March 13, 2015
Pool reporters will be allowed in to take notes on the president's remarks, but not TV and still cameras or radio recorders.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) March 13, 2015
It's a step up from Pres Obama last Gridiron appearance in 2011 when the entire WH press pooll was barred.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) March 13, 2015
But there's something wrong when a press group bars full WH press pool coverage of a presidential appearance at its event.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) March 13, 2015
@markknoller @benshapiro I really think the irony is lost on them
— Paul (@ATXmanx) March 13, 2015
https://twitter.com/NoahWehrman/status/576532414094295040
@markknoller When you're celebrating just how well the propaganda machine is working, you can't afford to have coverage. Lap dogs gotta lap.
— Pam D (@lifebythecreek) March 14, 2015
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Related:
Grid-irony: CBS’ Mark Knoller slams Gridiron Dinner; Where is the transparency, journalists?
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