Q: Why did the White House stop allowing cameras at their press briefing?
—Mary Edwards, Griffin
A: The stated reason for the change in briefings is that the White House felt like reporters were grandstanding, and the briefings were losing their utility.
WSB Radio Washington Bureau news director Jamie Dupree says press briefings can differ from administration to administration. “They’re in charge, and they set the rules,” he wrote in his blog, noting that the decision against televising the briefings can be good and bad for the White House.
Closing the briefings to cameras could reduce instances of reporters trying to play “gotcha” with their questions, but also deprives the White House of a powerful tool to communicate, he wrote.
Until the July 21 on-camera televised press briefing in the wake of White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s resignation, the last televised briefing was June 29. During the July 21 briefing, newly appointed White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci was asked if he would commit to regular on-camera briefings in the future.
“We may. I have to talk to the president about it,” he said.
Q: What happened to our favorite weatherman Jim Kosek on CBS46?
—Kim Lehman, Marietta
A: Kosek was among five staffers let go from the station on June 23, the AJC previously reported. He joined the station in December 2014.
He remains in Atlanta, and is pursuing opportunities with local and national TV and cable outlets in the area, he told Q&A on the News via Facebook.
Fast Copy News Service wrote this column; Jamie Dupree contributed. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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