Miami (February 12, 2025) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) rejects the restriction imposed on journalists from The Associated Press (AP) to cover events at the White House. The measure, taken in retaliation for the editorial decision of the news agency to continue using the name "Gulf of Mexico," represents an act of censorship and intimidation that violates the freedom of the press enshrined in the United States Constitution.
On Tuesday, an AP reporter was prevented from attending a presidential event in the Oval Office, while another journalist from the agency was excluded from an event in the White House Diplomatic Reception Room.
AP's executive editor, Julie Pace, revealed that the White House warned the agency that it would not have access to the Oval Office unless it aligns its editorial standards with Executive Order 14172, signed by President Donald Trump on January 20, which renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America."
In an official statement, AP condemned the Trump administration's measure as an attack on independent journalism. The agency noted that its Style Guidance, updated on January 23, maintains the use of the name "Gulf of Mexico," although it acknowledges the new designation imposed by the White House within the United Stated (U.S.) jurisdiction.
AP emphasized that such an order is not valid outside the U. S. and that other countries and international organizations are not obliged to adopt it. In consistency with this criterion, the agency announced that it will now refer to Mount McKinley in Alaska, which former President Barack Obama had renamed Mount Denali out of respect for Native traditions. "The area lies solely in the United States and as president, Trump has the authority to change federal geographical names within the country," AP said in that style guideline.
"It is alarming that the Trump administration is punishing AP for its independent journalism," Pace said, adding that limiting access violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedom of the press.
The president of the IAPA, José Roberto Dutriz, expressed concern about this measure: "Restricting press coverage and warning against the AP demonstrate a troubling intention to impose official criteria on public interest information, with the threat of reprisals for those who do not comply. Freedom of the press is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and must be respected without conditions," said Dutriz, CEO and general director of La Prensa Gráfica, El Salvador.
Carlos Jornet, second vice president of the IAPA and president of the Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information, described the action as an unacceptable attempt to interfere with the style and editorial line of a news outlet.
"This is an arbitrary imposition by the government on journalistic work. Prior censorship, interference, or direct or indirect pressure on any informative expression violate the right to freedom of expression, as established in Article 5 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and Principle 6 of the Declaration of Chapultepec," said Jornet, editorial director of La Voz del Interior, Córdoba, Argentina.
The White House Correspondents' Association also protested on Tuesday against the decision of the new U.S. administration, stating that "it should not penalize journalists working because it is unhappy with the decisions of their editors."
The IAPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to defending and promoting freedom of the press and expression in the Americas. It comprises more than 1,300 publications from the western hemisphere and is based in Miami, Florida, United States.
