James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, Government press conference venue in the West Wing, Washington, D.C.
The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room is a chamber in the West Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C., where official government representatives address the press. The compact room contains rows of seating for journalists, a raised speaker position, and television cameras along the rear walls.
An indoor pool from the 1930s was covered with a floor in 1969 to create space for media briefings. The room received its current name in 2000 in honor of the press secretary who was injured during a 1981 assassination attempt.
The room serves as the primary stage for official government communication and appears regularly in news broadcasts worldwide. Reporters use their assigned seats during briefings, with the front rows traditionally belonging to the largest news organizations.
Access is by invitation only for accredited journalists who are members of the White House Correspondents' Association. Visitors can watch recorded briefings through official government websites and news networks.
The original swimming pool still lies beneath the floor and now houses technical equipment for computer systems. The seating arrangement in the room follows an unwritten protocol that has reflected news organization seniority for decades.
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