Representatives for 53 journalism groups met December 15, 2015, with White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest. The groups have complained about agency press offices obstructing reporters' access. Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) President Paul Fletcher said they "asked for a clear statement that government employees are free to speak without interference to members of the press and public." SEJ Freedom of Information Task Force Chairman Tim Wheeler attended. SPJ issued this press release [2].