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Donald Trump barred a journalist from The Associated Press (AP) from attending an event in the Oval Office on Tuesday, following the news agency's refusal to change its editorial style regarding the Gulf of Mexico, which the U.S. president has ordered to rename as “Gulf of America.”
This action, which also affected a second journalist from AP at a subsequent event held in the Diplomatic Room of the White House, has generated a wave of criticism and concerns about press freedom in the country.
Julie Pace, senior vice president and executive director of AP, condemned the action as an attack on press independence.
“It is alarming that the Trump administration punishes the agency AP for its independent journalism”, Pace stated in a statement.
“Limiting our access to the Oval Office based on the content of the AP speech not only severely hinders public access to independent news but also clearly violates the First Amendment” of the United States Constitution.
The Trump administration did not make any official comments regarding the measure, and there were no indications that other journalists were affected.
However, Trump's relationship with the media has been hostile since his first term, and this decision reinforces concerns about censorship during his Administration.
The controversy over the name of the Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico, a body of water that has held this name for over 400 years, is shared by the United States and Mexico.
Trump's decision to rename it as "Gulf of the United States" was met with criticism and mockery, especially from the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, who responded sarcastically to the measure.
The AP agency, three days after Trump's inauguration, made it clear that it would continue using the term "Gulf of Mexico," although it would report on the president's decision.
"As a global news agency that distributes information worldwide, AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences,” the agency explained in a statement.
The style of AP is not only followed by the agency, but its style guide serves as a reference for thousands of journalists and writers worldwide.
The White House's decision to condition press access based on editorial style has been criticized by various organizations advocating for press freedom.
Conditions for the press in the Trump era
Tim Richardson, director of the journalism program at PEN America, described the White House ban as “an affront to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, which prohibits the government from obstructing press freedom.”
On its part, the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) issued a statement strongly rejecting the measure and urged the Trump administration to rectify it immediately.
“The White House cannot dictate how news organizations report the news, nor should it penalize active journalists simply because it is not satisfied with the decisions made by their editors,” stated Eugene Daniels, president of the association.
Repercussions on other platforms
The change of name has also had consequences on other platforms.
This week, Google Maps started to use “Gulf of America”, arguing that it follows a “common practice” of complying with the provisions of the U.S. government on these matters.
Apple Maps initially retained "Gulf of Mexico," but later made changes that allowed both names to appear in specific searches.
This is not Trump's first attempt to change geographic names. Previously, he reversed former President Barack Obama's decision to call the mountain in Alaska Denali, restoring its name in honor of the 25th president of the United States.
The dismantling of governmental transparency
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warned in a recent report that the Trump administration has increased restrictions on access to government information.
In just three weeks, the Trump administration has removed official websites, restricted data that was previously accessible to the public, and limited journalists' access to the White House and the Pentagon.
The organization urged the United States Congress to take urgent action to curb this trend.
The Trump Administration has also changed the rules for press accreditation, allowing podcasters and influencers to apply for credentials while restricting access for traditional media.
Additionally, the Pentagon announced the rotation of resources in its offices, affecting organizations such as NBC News, The New York Times, and National Public Radio.
Frequently Asked Questions about the "Gulf of America" Controversy and Press Freedom in the Trump Era
Why did Donald Trump decide to rename the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America"?
Donald Trump ordered to rename the Gulf of Mexico as "Gulf of America" as part of his policy to restore names that he believes honor American greatness. This decision has faced international criticism, particularly from Mexico, as the name "Gulf of Mexico" has been recognized for over 400 years and its change could affect diplomatic relations.
What repercussions has Trump’s decision to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico had?
The name change has generated criticisms and diplomatic tensions with Mexico and other countries that share the gulf. Platforms such as Google Maps have begun to use the new name in the U.S., while the press and the international community criticize the move as an attempt to impose U.S. dominance over a shared body of water. Furthermore, it has fueled the debate over press freedom and censorship in the Trump era.
What implications does Trump's ban on AP journalists in the Oval Office have?
The ban on AP journalists by Trump has been seen as an attack on press freedom and the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The measure has been condemned by organizations advocating for press freedom and is considered an attempt to punish media for not aligning with the government's editorial preferences, which could hinder the public's access to independent news.
How has Mexico reacted to the decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico?
Mexico has categorically rejected Trump's decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico, deeming it inappropriate and lacking international validity. President Claudia Sheinbaum has emphasized that the historic name is supported by bilateral treaties and cannot be changed unilaterally by one country. The measure has been seen as an act of imposition and has generated diplomatic tensions.
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