After 15 years covering the Washington State Legislature, I was just denied a press pass. Why? Because I have taken the public position that girls should not be forced to compete against boys.
I am one of the longest-serving political reporters in the state. I have never acted unprofessionally at the statehouse. I ask serious, well-informed questions and provide coverage for many Washingtonians who feel unrepresented by the mainstream news.
To make matters worse, legacy media representatives with the Capitol Correspondents Association conspired with Democrats in the House to weaponize an outdated policy to keep me (and other new media professionals) out. Independent journalist Jonathan Choe and radio host Ari Hoffman also had their press passes denied in recent days.
Let me be clear: Legacy news reporters took the side of politicians over the public. Rather than help expand political coverage for all by welcoming independent media into the fold, they pushed for LESS press freedom, not more. They played gatekeeper. Not only to help their struggling outlets survive by keeping out the competition, but to help the Democratic Party in power keep out critical voices.
Yes, independent media in Washington state is overwhelmingly conservative. There is a reason for that. There is a reason more reporters are leaving legacy newsrooms to do what I did in 2021. Too many local newsrooms cover stories from a progressive worldview. They increasingly shut out 40% of the state and parrot the views of the party in power.
Offering my informed opinion on policies should not preclude me, or others, from having access to the spaces we need to be in to do our jobs for the citizens who depend on us. To shut us out is to shut them out.
I have advocated for a simple policy to govern press passes in Olympia – one based on decorum. If reporters can abide by reasonable decorum rules, they should be allowed a press pass. Podcasters. Bloggers. Columnists. YouTubers. Everyone.
I invite my friends (and enemies) in legacy news to show a united front and stand up for press freedom, as I have done consistently for years – even when it meant criticizing my own side or defending reporters whose work I detest.
If the goal is to hold elected leaders accountable, expanding old rules to welcome in more voices and more perspectives is the answer.
If the goal is to shut out anyone who might challenge Democratic leaders, then I guess the policy should stay the same.
If you feel strongly that independent media should be allowed to access the State House of Representatives and be given access to leadership briefings with the rest of the media, please take a moment to email your elected representatives, and be sure to include House Speaker Laurie Jinkins and House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon.
