News outlets split on whether to attend Trump's party
In the wake of CNN's decision to boycott the White House Christmas party, other journalists express mixed feelings.
By JASON SCHWARTZ and GENEVIEVE GLATSKY 11/29/2017 12:34 PM EST
n the wake of CNN’s decision to boycott the annual White House Christmas party for media, opinion on the event was split among other reporters: some told POLITICO they would attend, while others expressed reservations over mingling with members of an administration that so consistently attacks the press.
So far, no major news outlets, surveyed by POLITICO, have said they would join CNN in keeping its reporters and editors from attending. A Washington Post spokesperson said, “The Post staff invited by the White House are planning to attend.”
Several reporters who had been invited to the reception in the past told POLITICO that they had been excluded this year, raising questions about how the White House made its list and whether it was playing favorites and adding to the sense that the event has become fraught with politics. But many reporters stressed that they wanted to attend in order to maintain a normal sense of decorum. Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, said he was invited and plans to attend. If the occasion arises, he said he would take a picture with the president.
"It’s not our job to be bothered. It’s our job to do our job. Every president to a greater or lesser degree is unhappy with the coverage, and has an adversarial relationship of sorts with the people who cover him every day, so that goes with the territory. This one happens to be more vocal about it,” he said.
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https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/29/should-news-outlets-attend-trump-christmas-party-268473
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