Associated Press, Trump argue Oval Office access in federal appeals court

The Associated Press (AP) and the Trump administration are back before a United States federal appeals court in their fight over media access.

The AP argued on Monday that a news outlet should not be punished for its point of view, and the White House insisted that the president should determine who can question him in the Oval Office.

In February, AP sued three officials from the administration of US President Donald Trump, including White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, after its reporters were barred from the “pool” of journalists who follow the president up close.

The administration’s action was, it said, in response to an institutional decision by AP to continue using the term “Gulf of Mexico” as its default style after Trump renamed it the “Gulf of America”.

The case has wound its way through federal district court and, more recently, federal appellate court throughout the year.

Julie Pace, AP’s executive editor, wrote in an op-ed piece published Monday morning that the question of access is not just about AP; it’s about people’s access to the government that works for them.

“When we talk about press freedom, we are really talking about your freedom. Reporters ask questions, photographers take pictures, and video journalists record history on your behalf to ensure that you are informed about the things you don’t have the time to unearth, watch or learn about for yourself,” Pace wrote.