February 25, 2025
CONTACT:
Emily Bloch, SPJ National President, eblochjourno@gmail.com
Caroline Hendrie, SPJ Executive Director, chendrie@hq.spj.org
Nadia Gordon, SPJ Communications Coordinator, ngordon@hq.spj.org
The Society of Professional Journalists and dozens of its chapters across the country today joined the Committee to Protect Journalists and other press freedom organizations in calling on the Trump administration to restore the Associated Press’s access to White House events and honor its commitment to freedom of expression.
The statement comes as the AP is waging a legal challenge to the Trump administration’s decision to exclude the news agency from the Oval Office, Air Force One and other White House press pool events. At issue is AP’s continued use of the longstanding name of “Gulf of Mexico” instead of “Gulf of America,” as President Trump has renamed it.
“AP provides essential reporting that is published by thousands of outlets across the United States and around the world, helping to keep millions informed on matters of national and international importance,” says the joint statement. “U.S. newspapers, radio stations, and television broadcasters rely heavily on the AP’s copy to deliver news to local communities. Barring AP effectively removes these media outlets’ ability to deliver the news to the groups they serve.”
