The Press and the President - Obama Controls The Press - AP Voices Concern

In two separate incidences within the past 24 hours, the Press has run up against the new Obama administration – the AP is reporting that several news organization have noticed a lack of access to the President. This conclusion is based on the fact that only 4 reporters were allowed access to the “re-taking of the oath of Office” – the reason given was lack of space – the second ceremony would have had to have been moved to accommodate the press. The second issue is that of photographs. Apparently, the White House is not allowing Press photographers (or video) rather, distributing their own “stock photos” to the press. The most disturbing point in this report, however, is the fact that reporters “were not allowed to use the names of administration officials giving a background briefing on issues regarding the Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba.” (AP). This is, for all intents and purposes, suppression of the press (see Lincoln).

In a separate incident, President Obama became irritated with reporters for asking questions during a “surprise visit” to the White House press room. When pressed, and after rebuffing a reporter from Politico for one question, summarily and not without irritation dismissed the same reporter when asked a follow-up – instead offering tidbits as to his exercise regime, as way of news. One must understand that the President has the right to control information and that, with executive powers, has the ability to virtually shut them out. In reference to Lincoln, and being mindful of the great admiration the current President has for the founder of the “opposition party”, one has to understand what steps President Lincoln took to insure his success.

From California State University – Long Beach, Craig R. Smith

Given the turmoil surrounding the war and the fact that many of the factions involved sought and received support in the press, it is not surprising that censorship of the press became a tool of the administration. Restrictions on First Amendment rights led to arrests of newspaper editors by military authorities, the military suppression of such newspapers, and the prohibition of the circulation and sale of those newspapers by military authorities.

Although it is a stretch to say that this President would go to such lengths to insure the success of his administration, (although, technically we at “at war”), the aforementioned bit of historical reference should be kept in mind, especially by those editors and reporters who feel entitled to access and information, and the ability to thwart the Office of the President in the interest of the Paper (i.e.: public). Such was the case throughout the Bush administration whereby any “top secret program” that the New York Times got wind of made front page news, despite the request of the Office of the Presidency to hold back due to national security issues. It is more likely that President Obama is very aware of the treatment of the past president, not having lived under a rock, and therefore, will do his utmost to control the press as it relates to issues he feels are, in a word, none of their business and not in the best interest of the nation; it remains to be seen what measures the current President will take should the press continue to ask hard questions, and or print (or broadcast) information that this President has “forbidden”.

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