Cover photo by yuriwochi
In the spring of 2025, the testimony of a single photojournalist moved the White House. Facing the political core was the seasoned photojournalist, Evan Vucci.
This time, we delve into the freedom of the press and the power of photography as demonstrated by his words and shutter.
Photo by らっしぃ
The Verdict Shifted by Photography
In April 2025, U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden delivered a historic ruling declaring the exclusion of The Associated Press reporters by the White House unconstitutional.
The most notable testimony from the AP side came from veteran photojournalist Evan Vucci. His expression that "AP was absolutely slaughtered" starkly illustrated the struggles faced in the field of photojournalism.
The Gaze of Evan Vucci
Vucci has been with AP since 2003 and won the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the George Floyd incident in 2021. On July 13, 2024, he captured a symbolic moment shortly after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, earning him the Political Photo of the Year award.
His achievements enhanced the credibility of his testimony, imprinting the significance of the "camera as a witness" on society.
The Reality Faced by Photojournalism
In the 2025 lawsuit between AP and the White House, the immediacy and on-the-ground nature of photojournalism were at issue. Vucci testified that losing access to the Oval Office and Air Force One significantly impacted AP's competitiveness.
Photo by Ryoさん
In fact, photos provided by other international agencies lacked immediacy and composition, leading to claims that AP was "left behind in major reporting." This highlighted once again how the physical presence and responsiveness of photojournalists are directly linked to the quality and freedom of reporting.
