“As surely as if they were placing a hand over a journalist's camera lens, officials in this administration are blocking the public from having an independent view of important functions of the executive branch of government,” the letter says. It adds that the represent a major break from the practices of past administrations.
The news organizations said the White House limits on access raise constitutional concerns about infringement on First Amendment press freedoms and have “a direct and adverse impact on the public's ability to independently monitor and see what its government is doing.”
The press coalition, which included The Associated Press, said the access limits also undercut Obama's pledge to create a more transparent government.
The groups requested an immediate meeting with Carney on how to restore full press access.
