WH Correspondents Association considering bylaws change that would affect Breitbart News

07/10/17 09:12 PM EDT



The White House Correspondents Association is considering a change to its bylaws that would keep outlets like Breitbart News from attaining a higher level of membership within the group, preventing them from taking part in decision-making.

CNN first reported the potential change, which the WHCA will vote on this week. The change would force the association’s “regular members” to obtain credentials from the Standing Committee of Correspondents, which rejected a request from Breitbart News for permanent congressional press passes earlier this year.

Those “regular members” participate in voting and hold office within the association, which would effectively keep Breitbart reporters out of those roles within the group.

Six members of the association signed a letter opposing the potential bylaw change, including Charlie Spiering, Breitbart’s White House correspondent; as well as reporters from conservative outlets Newsmax, Circa and The Daily Signal, according to CNN.

"The WHCA Board has in most cases done a great job in advocating for journalists' access, and showing respect to all members. The proposed bylaws change regarding membership is an unfortunate exception," the letter reads. "That's because the bylaws change would mean some members and hard pass holders who regularly cover the White House will not have full participation in the organization that is supposed to represent them regarding access among other things."

WHCA president Jeff Mason defended proposed change to CNN, saying the change “would affect a small handful of regular members.”

"We gave all of them a heads up," Mason told CNN. "We've also given them a chance to voice their opposition in a public way."

http://thehill.com/homenews/media/34...t-would-affect