Acosta and the Press Are Now on Notice [OPINION]

The Trump Administration has released a set of basic guidelines for press conferences attended by the members of the White House press corps.

The rules of engagement are simple and are similar to any other press conference I have participated in over the last 40 years.

The rules were released by White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders and reprinted by Fox News.com:

• A journalist called upon to ask a question will ask a single question and then will yield the floor to other journalists.
• At the discretion of the president or other White House official taking questions, a follow-up question or questions may be permitted; and where a follow up has been allowed and asked, the questioner will then yield the floor.
• Yielding the floor includes, when applicable, physically surrendering the microphone to White House staff for use by the next questioner.
• Failure to abide by any of rules may result in suspension or revocation of the journalist’s hard pass.

The rules put an end to the court battle between the Administration and CNN over the revocation of reporter Jim Acosta's press credentials. The Administration has made it clear that violations of the rules could result in reporters being removed and/or losing their press credentials.

Rules for reporters behaving like adults should not have to be written down, but I guess these days it is necessary. By the time a reporter reaches the level of being a White House correspondent, you'd think they would have the decorum thing down pat.

You would think.

The press has spent enough time covering itself. It's time to refocus attention on more important matters.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.