Read Time: 4 min 48 sec | Reading Level: 7th Grade

The White House kicked three news outlets out of its press pool last week. Then other networks packed up their floaties cameras in protest.

The White House press pool is a rotating group of journalists from a wide variety of news outlets. Their job is to report on the president’s day-to-day activities (like his official paparazzi). They then share their audio, video, and photos with other outlets. It’s a system that keeps a record of presidential happenings without crowding the White House with cameras.

Last Friday, President Trump banned CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House. The next day, the Secret Service denied entry to journalists from the three news orgs and took away their press badges.

Trump said the ban wasn’t because of a single story, but several “over the past few years.” He warned that “other fake news media outlets” might be next.

Then this week, the ousted outlets sued. They argued the ban went against their First Amendment right to a free press. And when CNN was scheduled for pool duty this week, the TV pool’s other networks didn’t cover for them, but paused pool coverage instead. The group said, “No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.”

Trump says he’s not targeting “free press,” only “fake news.” On Monday, the White House launched Trump TV, a 24/7 YouTube livestream of presidential coverage.

Yesterday, a judge heard from both sides. A government lawyer argued that “access to the White House is a privilege, not a right.” The judge hasn’t ruled yet.

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
Whether you’re critical of your government or think it’s unfairly criticized, the command for Christians is to love neighbors and enemies alike. That requires speaking about others with dignity and respect, even if we feel like they haven’t earned it.

“With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way… Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.”
James 3:9–10, 13 (CSB) (read full passage)

What do I want my kids to know in light of this story?
Some adults worry about having fewer journalists the way some kids worry about turning off the lights. 

Journalists can be like lights, showing what might otherwise stay secret. That transparency encourages leaders (and really everyone) to do their jobs with integrity. Just like kids tend to behave better when they know an adult is watching… especially mom or dad. Some adults worry that without lots of light from journalists, politicians might make bad choices.

The Bible says that God is light, and He is going to expose all darkness when Jesus returns (1 Corinthians 4:5). We can have hope, because the Light of the World walks with us and lives in us.

What might my kids misunderstand about this story?
President Trump kicked out the news outlets because he says they are biased. 

Bias in journalism can be a problem because it casts shadows on the truth. Believers want to be people who walk in truth’s light. Still, we all have preferences and opinions and biases; it’s part of being human. 

Only God knows everything and is totally impartial. The best we can do is always seek the truth, shine light wherever we go, surround ourselves with friends who illuminate our blind spots, and trust God to make everything known at the right time (1 John 1:5–10). 

Gen Z Word of the Week: Pizza at youth group this week? Bet.

Family Fun: It’s the most rotund time of year: time to crown the nation’s chonkiest with Katmai National Park’s Fat Bear Week. Meet this year’s bears, and vote for your favorite. Then, watch the Alaskan brown bears fill up on salmon on the live stream. 🥁

Whipped Cream on Top: The Lord sure was creative with these little guys...

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