[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The White House briefing room in the United States will be filled without any empty seats for the first time in 15 months since the COVID-19 outbreak.
Reporters attending the White House daily briefing on the 4th are sitting with social distancing without masks.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced in an interview with CNN on the 6th (local time) that the White House daily briefings will be held without social distancing starting from the 7th.
Press Secretary Psaki explained, "Normalizing the briefing room signals that we are no longer afraid."
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the White House briefings had significantly reduced the number of attendees. Recently, following the guidelines of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), briefings have been conducted without masks and with relaxed distancing. Psaki has continuously hinted that social distancing in the briefing room will be further eased.
As attendance at White House briefings is relaxed, it is expected that debates with conservative media critical of the Biden administration will increase. Regarding this, Psaki emphasized, "We believe in freedom of the press," and mentioned that they are willing to accept such debates.
Even if the White House briefing room is normalized, it is expected to remain difficult to meet President Joe Biden there. Psaki said, "President Biden answers many questions every week and does not shy away from contact with reporters. He will continue to do so."
Since taking office, President Biden has held only one official press conference. Instead, he has responded to questions from the White House press corps while on the move or before and after official schedules.
Former President Donald Trump engaged in lengthy daily exchanges with reporters in the briefing room, especially during the COVID-19 period.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
