We work to ensure a strong free press and robust coverage of presidency

We share the belief, held by our country’s Founders and enshrined in the First Amendment, that an independent news media is vital to the health of the republic.

Each day, we work to ensure the journalists who cover the White House can seek answers from our nation’s highest office on behalf of the American people.

The WHCA functions as the go-between for the nearly 900 WHCA members (from nearly 300 news organizations of all kinds across the U.S. and the world) and the White House – to fight for the broadest access to officials, policies, events and trips and the smoothest logistics and operations. This enables the journalists who cover the White House to seek answers from our nation’s highest office on behalf of the American people, who need unfiltered information about government officials to stay informed and make decisions critical to their lives.

• Nearly 900 individual members
• Nearly 300 news outlet members, including:
  • 45 digital-only outlets
  • 29 “new media” outlets (founded after 2000)
  • 29 local U.S.-based news outlets from 18 different states

• The White House Correspondents’ Association also exists to promote excellence in journalism and journalism education. We support awards for some of the best political reporting of the past year, and scholarships for young reporters who carry our hopes for vibrant journalism in the years to come. Our college scholarships encourage new generations of White House correspondents, with about two dozen winners selected each year from across the United States and invited to visit Washington to be celebrated and encouraged.

Why Access Matters

The WHCA Board, drawn from across the news media, advocates for all of our members so that they have what they need to be able to convey an accurate impression of what is happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Whether they tell stories through television images, photographs, sound on the radio, or text, the WHCA works with their interests – and those of their viewers, readers and listeners – at heart.

It is core to our organization’s mission, to American democracy itself, and to the needs of the American people to ensure the press has the ability to independently report on the presidency without control from the government.

Become a member

Not a member of the press, but want to help?

• Thank you for your interest and support. The White House Correspondents’ Association welcomes your feedback and looks forward to hearing from you. The WHCA is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations to the WHCA are tax-deductible. Please consider donating here or reach out for more details.
• You can also keep up with our organization by following WHCA on X and Instagram.