The White House is planning a significant overhaul of its press briefing room, raising concerns about how media access may shift in the digital age. Senior officials say the redesign could alter the long-standing seating arrangement, potentially pushing traditional media outlets like CNN, The New York Times, and NBC out of their front-row positions. The aim, according to the administration, is to reflect how Americans now consume news—through digital creators, podcasts, and independent platforms. The proposal includes possible seats for popular YouTubers, Substack writers, and TikTok influencers, a move framed as modernizing media engagement rather than favoring specific narratives.

The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) has voiced immediate concern. WHCA President Eugene Daniels emphasized that press access should not be determined by social media popularity or government discretion, warning that changes must not compromise press freedom. Critics argue the move may be part of a broader government effort to shape media narratives, especially amid a federal review of $8.2 million awarded to Politico in contracts last year. Meanwhile, a Columbia journalism ethics expert warned that even symbolic changes like seat shifts can have deep implications for press independence.