White House Launches Pre-Approval Desk So Reporters Can Get Their Stories Certified True Before Writing Them
The new Office of Verified Journalism promises faster access for outlets willing to let the subject of a story sign off on it first.
Following this weekend's exclusion of reporters from three outlets, the White House announced the creation of the Office of Verified Journalism, a small office near the briefing room where credentialed reporters can submit story drafts for a truthfulness stamp before publication.
Under the pilot program, a reporter wishing to keep grounds access simply emails a draft to the office, waits for a review, and receives either a green "VERIFIED TRUE" stamp or a red "FICTION" stamp, the latter of which also revokes the reporter's parking pass.
"We came together as one newsroom, divided," said a spokesperson for the office, before excusing themselves to attend a subcommittee meeting about which subcommittee should review the stamps.
Reporters who receive the green stamp are reportedly guaranteed front-row seating at briefings, a working microphone, and the continued ability to ask questions, provided the questions have also been pre-stamped.
Officials say the office hopes to eventually stamp stories before reporters have finished thinking of them, a goal one staffer described as "just cutting out the middle step."