They're some of the most visible journalists in the world. They're the reporters who lob questions at the president or his press secretary at news conferences in the White House. They are the members of the White House press corps.
But who are they, and how did they end up covering one of the most prestigious beats in all of journalism?
The White House press corps consists of several dozen reporters from major print, broadcast and online news outlets who are stationed full-time at the White House, covering the press conferences held there and the activities of the president.
Not surprisingly, the White House beat is a coveted one, so reporters assigned there are some of the hardest-working and most accomplished around. Typically they have a fair bit of experience covering politics at the national level, and have often covered the president on the campaign trail long before he is elected. The U.S. Secret Service issues press passes for White House correspondents - after, of course, doing security checks.
Press Conferences, Gaggles
White House press conferences, or briefings, are held in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, named for the former White House Press secretary who was shot in the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. Briefings are generally held by the press secretary or his or her deputy, and can be televised. Here is a transcript of a White House press briefing.
Gaggles are more informal exchanges between the press secretary and White House reporters, usually held in the morning. They are generally off-limits to TV cameras, and are sometimes seen by the press secretary as a kind of dress rehearsal for the more formal press conference that comes later in the day. Here is a transcript of a gaggle.
Traveling With the President
When the president leaves the White House and travels, whether around the country or around the world, the White House press corps travels with him. In fact, a small number of reporters and camera people, known as the press pool, follow the president's every move whenever he is in public or on the road and provide reports for the entire White House press corps. The members of the press pool rotate on a regular basis. Here you can read a CBS News producer's account of being a member of the press pool following President Obama in Iraq.
