We at RTDNA are hearing complaints from members in parts of the country about how some public officials are restricting access to journalists and questions during their daily, or otherwise regularly scheduled, COVID-19 briefings. Many, we are told, no longer allow reporters and photojournalists to attend in person; instead, they must submit questions either by telephone or email. At this moment, during the greatest pandemic and, many say, the most consequential news story, of our lifetime, government officials’ responsibility to provide the public with the full, unfiltered truth has never been more important.
