Dispute over “Golf of America”
Judge allows AP news agency to access the White House again
Because of a dispute over the name of the Golf of Mexico, the White House limited the access of Associated Press (AP). A judge named by Trump reverses this.
A US federal judge has instructed the White House to grant the US news agency Associated Press (AP) access to the Oval Office, Air Force One and other areas-if they are open to other journalists. Federal judge Trevor McFadden, who was appointed by the media reports by US President Donald Trump in his first term, was the reason. He gave the government time to appeal until April 13th.
The background to the conflict is the refusal of the AP to use Trump’s renaming for the Gulf of Mexico in “Golf of America”. The White House had therefore repeatedly excluded AP journalists from events and also refused access to the Air Force One, the aircraft of the US President.
According to the constitution, the government, if they open the doors to some journalists, could not close them for other journalists based on their views, judge McFadden wrote in the establishment of his decision on Tuesday (local time). AP had sued the White House after the exclusion of its reporters and photographers on February 11th.
Associated Press (AP) sees the judgment as confirmation of freedom of the press
“Today’s decision confirms the fundamental right of the press and the public to speak freely without the government taking retribution measures,” said AP spokeswoman Lauren Easton in a statement. The AP explained in its stylbook that the Gulf of Mexico has been bearing this name for more than 400 years and AP would describe it as a global news agency with its original name. Nevertheless, AP also recognized the new name that Trump chose.
The name “Gulf of Mexico” has been in use since the 16th century. The waters border on several US states as well as Mexico and Cuba. Trump had the renaming of the bay by decree. Accordingly, the name change for the area up to the maritime boundaries of Mexico and Cuba applies. Among other things, this new name can be seen on Google cards in the USA.
News agencies from Europe and groups that work for freedom of the press had criticized the difficult access for AP through the White House. The Associated Press is one of the most important news agencies worldwide.
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Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
