Administration 'Committed To Engaging' Media on Transparency, Earnest Says

The Obama administration is willing to discuss transparency with journalists and others, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a Society of Professional Journalists news release Tuesday, shortly after he met with representatives of SPJ, the American Society of News Editors and the Society of Environmental Journalists. "This Administration isn't just committed to the principle of transparency, we've committed to engaging advocates and journalists to discuss legitimate ideas that advance it. We look forward to continuing this conversation." SPJ said among issues discussed in the hourlong meeting were "anonymous background briefings" and "other policies that prevent information from flowing to the public." Agencies such as the FCC routinely hold such briefings with groups of reporters, sometimes more often than on-the-record media events (see 1511200019). The White House didn't comment Wednesday.