Washington's Besieged Journalists Raise a Cocktail Glass, Darkly

This year's White House Correspondents' Association dinner notably lacked a comedian and the president, emphasizing the challenged relationship between the media and the Trump administration. Journalists present underscored First Amendment values, receiving strong audience support. The event reflected on past celebrations with a lighter tone, but was overshadowed by Trump's aggressive stance towards media, including lawsuits and barred access to events. The dinner, once a glamorous highlight of Washington's social calendar, now feels out of place amidst these tensions.

"The reporters who spoke from the dais emphasized the importance of the First Amendment, garnering repeated ovations from the black-tie crowd."

"As media institutions grapple with an onslaught from President Trump who has sued and threatened television networks, barred The Associated Press from presidential events, and upended the day-to-day workings of the White House press corps..."

Read at www.nytimes.com