Trump's "Gulf of America" push sparks media access clash
Associated Press journalists were not allowed at White House events because of their continued use of the name "Gulf of Mexico" instead of "Gulf of America."
Associated Press (AP) journalists were excluded from Tuesday's events at the White House. The reason cited was the agency's decision to continue using the name "Gulf of Mexico" in its materials, despite the new administration promoting the name "Gulf of America."
During his election campaign, President Donald Trump announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the American Gulf. This change was intended to "honor the legacy of American greatness." On January 24, the Department of Homeland Security announced that the name change had been officially implemented. The U.S. Geological Survey adopted the new name, and "Gulf of America" now appears on maps used by services such as Apple and Google.
AP, in its editorial guidelines, recommends using the traditional name. "The Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years. The Associated Press will refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen," reads the AP guide.
AP Editor-in-Chief Julie Pace, in a statement to NPR, emphasized that the White House informed the agency of the need to adapt to new standards in order to participate in events in the Oval Office.
Support for AP
The White House's decision was criticized by media organizations. White House Correspondents' Association President Eugene Daniels commented: "The White House cannot dictate how news organizations report the news, nor should it penalize working journalists because it is unhappy with their editors’ decisions."
This situation highlights the tensions between the administration and the media, stemming from attempts to impose new editorial standards. These events underscore the importance of maintaining journalistic independence in the face of political pressures.
