NOTE:  Before answering the questions, read the "Background" and view maps of West Wing and White House/Executive office under "Resources" below.

1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. What is the White House Press Corps?

3. a) What does the White House Press Secretary do?
b) How did incoming White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer explain the possible move of White House press briefings from the West Wing of the White House to the White House Executive Office Building across the street?

4. a) How many reporters can fit into the current press briefing room? What did incoming White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus say about a possible change in press briefings location? Be specific.
b) How did he address the Press Corps’ concern over the possible move?

5. What did Vice President-elect Mike Pence say about the possible move? Be specific.

6. What do you think of Priebus’ assertion that “if we have more people involved instead of less people involved wouldn’t that be a good thing?”

7. White House Correspondents’ Association President Jeff Mason responded to the news in a statement Sunday: “The briefing room is open now to all reporters who request access. We object strenuously to any move that would shield the president and his advisers from the scrutiny of an on-site White House press corps.”
a) What do you think: would this move open up press briefings to more reporters and be a good thing for transparency, or would it shield the president from scrutiny?
b) Whatever political party you support, which do you think is a better way to provide transparency for the American people?

• expanding the number of press attending daily White House briefings but having to move them to the Executive Office Building, or
• keeping the same location - closer to the Oval Office - but then limiting the number of reporters to 49 and therefore shutting out many who would like to attend

Explain your answer.