The President answers questions from reporters in a relatively formal news conference. In the early twentieth century, those interactions were only occasionally on the record and not televised live. Later, a distinction was made between Solo and Prime-time conferences, the latter being televised in a normal prime time slot (Eastern time).
The Presidential press conference is an opportunity for the President to share his views on important issues. It’s an important part of our democracy, giving citizens a voice through the press and allowing them to hold the government accountable.
While many people are arguing that the media landscape is becoming splintered, it’s important to remember that mass media matters. News coverage sets the tempo of what Americans are focused on, and it’s important that you can read and trust the information you consume.
Credible news sources have standards and ethics that they follow, which you can find out more about by reading the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics. They also try to present a range of perspectives on a topic, so you can make your own informed decisions. Look for articles that cite their research sources, including the names of those who conducted the work and their academic credentials. They should also describe their methods so you can evaluate the credibility of their findings. If you’re a first-time voter, these tips can help you filter through the noise and decide what to trust.
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