Conservative news site only media outlet on Tillerson's flight to Asia

Patrice Gainsbourg

Março 19, 2017

The State Department Correspondents Association said in a statement it was "disappointed" in the decision for Tillerson to bring only one reporter on the trip, but would continue to work with the State Department to address concerns. The release of the State Department's annual human rights report, traditionally one of the most important moments of the year for the cabinet agency, turned into an embarrassment two weeks ago.

Trump's budget proposal for the fiscal year beginning on October 1 would cut 28 percent of the budget for US diplomacy and foreign aid, according to documents provided by the White House.

The United States will also reduce spending by attracting funds from other countries and "other sources" to contribute to development aid and disaster assistance, Tillerson said.

He said the United States will remain a member for the time being to "reiterate our strong principled objection to the Human Rights Council's biased agenda against Israel".

Those 15-odd reporters normally travel on the same Air Force Boeing jetliner made available for the secretary of state, with each news outlet paying its reporter's way for a seat on the aircraft. "What just happened is shocking - and counterproductive for USA diplomacy".

Sócrates quer "impugnar" adiamento do prazo para acusação — Operação Marquês
Acrescenta ainda que nessa data, o DCIAP poderá indicar um "prazo que se mostre ainda necessário à conclusão dos trabalhos".

McPike is a White House correspondent for IJR, and previously reported for CNN, Real Clear Politics, NBC News and National Journal, according to IJR's website when she joined in February. It's the second time this month the site has been rewarded with exclusive access while the rest of the press was shut out; when Trump ditched the press for a dinner at the Trump Hotel, the website's Benny Johnson had been tipped off and filed a fawning report after sitting at a nearby table. "We expect that the diplomatic press corps will be afforded access to Secretary Tillerson equal to that given to the reporter on the plane".

Up through Tuesday, just hours before Tillerson was scheduled to leave, the State Department declined to confirm whether there would be any reporters on Tillerson's plane.

News organisations pay the United States government for the cost of their travel.

For decades, secretaries of state have almost always invited media to travel with them.

None of this will change the next time Tillerson leaves the country on the nation's business.