Pence Bans Audio, Video During White House Coronavirus Briefing As Death Toll Climbs To 9

White House reporters on Tuesday were surprised to learn that audio and video recordings would not be permitted during Tuesday’s COVID-19 coronavirus update in the White House press briefing room.

CNN White House Correspondent Jim Acosta tweeted: “WH is allowing only still photos of this Coronavirus briefing. No audio or video permitted. Here is a photo of the VP as the briefing began.”

WH is allowing only still photos of this Coronavirus briefing. No audio or video permitted. Here is a photo of the VP as the briefing began. pic.twitter.com/kB05s6IRvO

— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) March 3, 2020

Voice of America News’ Steve Herman tweeted: “We’re underway. No audio or video permitted but photos OK per @WhiteHouse.”

We’re underway. No audio or video permitted but photos OK per @WhiteHouse. pic.twitter.com/Vj6pI1Rd5W

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) March 3, 2020

Walter Shaub, the former head of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, tweeted: “The White House has prohibited audio and video at its coronavirus briefing. It’s like they’re imploding.”

The White House has prohibited audio and video at its coronavirus briefing. It's like they're imploding. https://t.co/zNDwUe3vZu

— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) March 3, 2020

We need transparency.

Instead we are getting this. https://t.co/0z6yXdodE0

— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) March 3, 2020

When Acosta asked Pence why the Coronavirus briefing was off-camera today, he said he “believes the briefing will be back on cam tomorrow.”

I asked Pence why the Coronavirus briefing is off camera today. He said he believes the briefing will be back on cam tomorrow. https://t.co/zUewMS69ET

— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) March 3, 2020

The closest thing to an explanation we got as to why the Coronavirus briefing was off-camera with no-audio was when Pence said Trump was on camera a bunch today. https://t.co/8DYUTWvKer

— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) March 3, 2020