White House plans to charge reporters for coronavirus test for entry: report Do you think reporters should have to pay for COVID testing? It could run into thousands of dollars for many. Until this, the tests were covered by the government. Please explain the reasons behind your vote.
Your employer or if you're an independent, you should foot the cost of testing. If you want to come into my house and talk to me don't expect me to pay your costs.
Mixed feelings here. For 20 news conferences a month that's $3,400 a month. That could strain the budgets of small news agencies especially those already paying some or all living expenses for a DC reporter. That would mean only the big guys could continue full daily coverage. It is the White House that calls for and invites them so that the White House can get out it's message and they choose to do so in that venue. But then should the taxpayer ultimately be the ones that pays for the testing. Would have to here more discussion and any sorts of precedents............if there even are any.
Who pays for the background checks, escorts, metal detectors and other protective measures required for access to the WH? Seems disease testing would fall into that category. I agree with other posters- this is an attempt to decentivise access to smaller (alternative) competing news outlets. Just more big government and big corporations stroking eachothers' ****s. That being said... did the WH require testing for any deadly, contagious diseases prior to covid? I recon a reporter walking around the WH with TB would be a demonstrable threat to national security... yet I doubt they worried about it much.
