WHCA 'deeply concerned' CNN won't allow pool reporter into presidential debate

WASHINGTON ? The White House Correspondents’ Association expressed deep concern about CNN’s decision to deny their request for a White House pool reporter inside the studio during the network’s presidential debate in Atlanta between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, in a statement released on Thursday.

More: Presidential debate live updates: How to watch Trump, Biden's showdown on CNN

“Through conversations and advocacy, we urged CNN to grant access to at least one print pool reporter for the duration of the debate,” the group wrote in a statement on Thursday.

Currently, CNN rules state that a pool of still photographers will be allowed in the studio, but a print pool reporter will be given access during commercial breaks.

“That is not sufficient in our view and diminishes a core principle of presidential coverage,” the statement says. “The White House pool has a duty to document, report and witness the president’s events and his movements on behalf of the American people.”

Senior journalists, on behalf of the White House Correspondents’ Association, sent a letter to CNN on Wednesday insisting that at least one print pool reporter be present at the studio venue, according to the New York Times.

The letter, signed by journalists from The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post and Bloomberg News, says their request is “necessary both in terms of the precedent and historic nature of the debate.”

“There are many scenarios where having a pool reporter in the room would be necessary to fully report on the entire debate and provide an independent record of what transpired,” the letter says.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WHCA 'concerned' CNN won't allow pool reporter into debate