Please note!

This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.

Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.

FACT BRIEF

Has the Biden administration blocked media from visiting migrant detention facilities?

Friday, March 26, 2021

By Remaya Campbell

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YES

During a press conference on March 25, President Biden promised the press will gain access to detention facilities at the U.S.-Mexico border, but said he doesn‘t know when. News media and advocacy groups have pressed for access amid a rapid increase in the number of minors being detained and held temporarily after attempting to enter the country.

On March 22, White House press secretary Jen Psaki noted that the administration is coordinating with the agencies involved to ensure privacy and COVID-19 protocols are in place before the press is granted access to facilities. Both Biden and Psaki have expressed their commitment to transparency.

The administration has drawn sharp criticism for its stance. “The First Amendment is not suspended during public emergencies and the coronavirus pandemic is no exception,” argues a March 24 letter from advocacy groups pressing for access.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Fox News Biden says media will be allowed into border facilities but cannot say when

White House March 22 Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki

Open The Government Letter seeking media access to border facilities

Washington Post Opinion: President Biden’s lame answer on media border access

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR

Gigafact

Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.

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About fact briefs published on Gigafact

Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.