Freedom of the press at risk in the United States under Joe Biden, a recent development

Other journalists may currently be silent, thinking these regulations only target me, but these rules could be used against them in the future.

Dear Substack subscribers,

I wanted to address an issue that has recently come to light, which affects not only me as a journalist but also the broader landscape of press freedom in the United States. As some of you may know, the Biden administration and its Press Secretary's office are in the process of revising the press hard pass rules. Several publications have reported that these changes seem to be targeting me, an African journalist who has gained recognition throughout the United States for simply doing my job. These new rules are set to take effect on July 31.

It's worth noting the irony that these changes come on the heels of President Biden's statement on World Press Freedom Day, in which he declared that journalism is not a crime. It appears that if you excel at your profession, you may find yourself in the crosshairs of the White House and the White House Correspondents' Association.

This development further erodes the trust that the American public has in both the media and politicians in Washington. While I can't predict who will be president on July 31 or the outcome of the next election, it's important to remember that these rules have broader implications.

Other journalists may currently be silent, thinking these regulations only target me, but these rules could be used against them in the future. When a new administration takes office, they may forget that it was their predecessors who changed the rules, making it easier to target journalists and complicate the hard pass process.

The new rules emphasize the need for news organizations to be independent. However, I question the presence of truly independent individuals within the White House press corps, as I know several who work for government-funded outlets.

Despite these challenges, I remain committed to my work and will not be easily deterred. I appreciate your support and hope that we can all stand together in defense of press freedom.

Best regards,

Simon Ateba