New Media. New Rules. New Seat at the Table
- Aunika Groat
- May 11
- 2 min read
Journalism in America has fundamentally changed. According to a Gallup News Poll, only 31% of Americans trust the mainstream media “a great deal” or a ‘fair amount”. That’s the lowest point in half a century. With more Americans turning to alternative platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and podcasts for news, the White House is finally catching up to the times.
Enter Karoline Leavitt, the 27-year-old Press Secretary and the youngest in United States history. In her first briefing, she made headlines by declaring, "We welcome independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers, and content creators to apply for credentials to cover this White House." This marks a bold step toward opening the press room to those outside the traditional media elite.
In a move reflecting that commitment, Leavitt repurposed a seat normally reserved for staff and designated it for “New Media.” This seat symbolizes a much-needed shift: putting independent voices and digital creators on equal footing with legacy outlets. For decades, press briefings were dominated by corporations like CNN, ABC, and NBC—networks that push narratives aligned with elites rather than everyday Americans.
President Trump’s administration is building a direct bridge to the people. His ongoing effort to bypass biased coverage and engage with Americans through platforms they actually use has made him arguably the most transparent and accessible President in American history.
Naturally, critics are skeptical. Some question the legitimacy of influencers or podcasters as serious journalists. But as Leavitt put it: "Again, as long as you are creating news-related content of the day and you're a legitimate independent journalist, you're welcome to cover this White House." In other words, gatekeeping by politically motivated legacy institutions is over.
Trump’s motivation for reshaping press access is clear: he’s been a repeated target of false reporting. In one of the most high-profile examples, ABC was recently required to pay 15 million dollars to the Trump Presidential Foundation and Museum, 1 million dollars in legal fees, and issue a public apology. The settlement came after George Stephanopoulos repeatedly and falsely claimed on air that a jury found Trump to have “raped” E. Jean Carroll.
So yes, Trump’s decision was shaped by personal experience. But that doesn't make it partisan. When mainstream media outlets repeatedly defame a sitting or former president, trust erodes—not just in them, but in the entire system. Inviting a broader range of voices helps restore accountability and balance.
And the public is responding. Over 11,500 individuals have applied for White House credentials. While the administration hasn’t shared the exact number of those approved, one clear example is John Ashbrook, co-host of the podcast Ruthless, who was recently granted a question during a White House event while sitting in the “News Media” seat.
The White House press corps has officially changed. The era of exclusive access for legacy media is over. In its place is a more diverse, more representative, and more transparent system. Independent journalism is not just here to stay. It now has a seat at the table.
Photo Credit:
[Header]: AP Photo
[Embedded 1]: Getty Images
Sources:
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