The White House did not allow a journalist into the Oval Office because his newsroom does not use the name “American Gulf”

The White House did not allow an Associated Press correspondent into an event in the Oval Office, demanding that the news agency use the name «American Gulf» instead of «Mexican».

This is reported by AP.

On the afternoon of February 11, US President Donald Trump signed new decrees in the Oval Office, while giving comments to journalists. An AP correspondent tried to get into the event but was turned away. Another AP reporter was later denied entry to an evening event in the White House Diplomatic Room.

The agency notes that the Trump administration had previously threatened to deny it entry unless it changed its policy on the name of the Gulf of Mexico. Trump signed an executive order renaming it the Gulf of America. However, the AP warned that it would use the old name so as not to confuse its global audience.

The agency is using the new name for Mount McKinley. «This territory is located exclusively in the United States, and as President Trump has the authority to change federal geographical names within the country», — explained the AP.

The agency set out this decision in its guidance on reporting style, which other journalists also use.

The Associated Press called the policy of excluding reporters «highly unusual» and one that «could have constitutional implications for free speech».

«It is alarming that the Trump administration is punishing the AP for independent journalism. Restricting our access to the Oval Office through the AP feed not only seriously impedes the public's access to independent news, it directly violates the First Amendment», — the AP said in a statement.

The White House's decision was also criticized by Tim Richardson, director of journalism and disinformation at PEN America.

White House Correspondents' Association President Eugene Daniels said the White House cannot dictate how news organizations cover the news, nor should it punish journalists for being unhappy with the decisions of their editors.

«The administration's decision to bar an Associated Press reporter from an official event open to news coverage is unacceptable», — he said.