Why press access matters: A history lesson with real-life impact

Press freedom isn’t just about reporters getting their questions in—it’s about all of us.

It’s how we stay informed, keep leaders in check, and make decisions that actually affect our lives. Without it, we’re left with whatever officials choose to share—kind of like getting a restaurant menu where half the options have been blacked out.

Lately, there’s been much talk about government officials limiting the number of reporters who can ask questions. And yeah, that’s a problem. There’s a way to work with the media that ensures fairness, accuracy, and accountability—but shutting people out isn’t it.

Some government sector communicators prefer to have everything in writing to make sure responses aren’t taken out of context. That’s not about limiting access; it’s about accuracy. It ensures the public gets clear, fact-based information instead of misleading soundbites.

... in a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps,” a Politico reporter said.

But when governments take it a step further—handpicking which journalists get to ask questions and stepping away from a system that ensured fair access for over a century—they’re not just managing press interactions. They’re managing what you get to know. And this is plain and simple, a slippery slope.

History proves why this matters

One of the best examples? Watergate.

In the ‘70s, two reporters—Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein—investigated what seemed like a small break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. It turned out that it was much bigger than that.

Their relentless reporting uncovered a massive political cover-up that led to President Nixon. The public was outraged, investigations ramped up, and in 1974, Nixon resigned before he could be impeached.

This might never have come to light without a free press asking the tough questions. As legendary journalist Walter Cronkite put it:

“Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy.”

Fast forward to today—why this still matters

Think this is just history? Nope. We’ve seen governments try to control press access more and more. Imagine if reporters hadn’t been able to ask key questions during COVID-19—how much would we have known about the virus, vaccines, or policy decisions?

Or think about:

• Flint, Michigan’s water crisis – Journalists exposed lead contamination that officials downplayed.
• COVID-19 policies – Reporters pushed for real numbers on cases, vaccines, and public safety measures.
• Corruption scandals – From election fraud to corporate scams, investigative journalists uncover the stuff people in power don’t want you to know.

These stories didn’t appear out of the blue. They came from journalists who refused to accept the official story at face value.

The balance between access and responsibility

Having worked as a government sector communicator for nearly 26 years, I’ve coordinated extensively with the media. We never prohibited access, and for good reason—public trust depends on transparency.

I also know that some agencies adjust their strategies for working with the media to ensure balance and neutrality. That might mean structured press briefings, clearly outlining the rules of engagement, or requiring written responses to ensure clarity. But that’s different from shutting out journalists who ask tough questions.

Government communicators and journalists don’t have to be adversaries. There’s a way to work with the media that respects the role of both parties. A strong, open line of communication benefits everyone. When access is fair, the public gets a clearer picture. When it’s not, trust erodes—and rebuilding it is far more complex than maintaining it.

How we uphold transparency

As government communicators, our responsibility isn’t just to deliver information—it’s to foster trust, provide clarity, and ensure that public access to information remains fair, open, and unfiltered.

That means:

• Creating consistent, structured opportunities for media access – A transparent process builds confidence for journalists and communicators alike.
• Encouraging fact-based, transparent communication – Clarity in messaging reduces misinformation and speculation.
• Understanding that accountability works both ways – Just as we expect journalists to report responsibly, we must also ensure we’re providing meaningful, accurate responses.

Press access isn’t just a procedural issue—it’s a cornerstone of public trust. When we uphold transparency, we strengthen the connection between government, media, and the communities we serve.