Great journalists are more than just accurate reporters. They’re insightful and knowledgeable storytellers who uphold a personal commitment to seek out truth. Common to all real journalists is a bond of professional honor that transcends ratings and competition.

Our president knows this, and it’s exactly what he’s attacking.  He wants the media insulted, offended, angry, even divided.  Especially divided.

Like any public figure, he wants to control his own narratives, but so far he hasn’t put together a single credible one that holds up under scrutiny, even by some of his own party members and voters. So he distracts or deflects whenever someone starts asking too many questions.

Barring selected media from a press gaggle is one of those distractions.

It’s a distraction from the Russia narrative.
It’s a distraction from the Obamacare narrative.
It’s a distraction from the Muslim ban narrative.
It’s a distraction from the gender equality narrative.
It’s a distraction from the various Cabinet narratives.
It’s a distraction from the wall and immigration narratives.
Etc.

Journalists:  Do not fall into the trap. You know you’re not “fake”. You don’t need to justify your existence to the president, the public, or anyone else.

Keep doing your work.  Don’t let yourselves become the story.