Knoller defends reporters at WH Fourth party

CBS News’ White House Correspondent Mark Knoller said that reporters who attended the White House’s Fourth of July party did not commit ‘an ethical breach.’

Knoller, who did not attend himself, responded to a reader’s question tweeting this Friday:

Would like to know if @markknoller was @ WH 4th party, and his thoughts on the ethical ramifications. http://short.to/j3yj

@CeeLew I did not attend. And don’t think it’s an ethical breach for those who did.

A few times Bush did off-the-record BBQs for the press at his ranch. He took questions. Gained insight, tho couldnt report what he said.

It may look a bit too cozy for reporters to watch the fireworks from the south lawn, but it’s not an ethical breach.

The reader links to a Gawker piece that reported that the White House invited reporters from 30 news organizations to attend only if they promised to not report from the party.