President Barack Obama meets with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel in the Oval Office at the White House on his first day at his new office. (White House photo by Pete Souza / January 21, 2009)

The Associated Press is reporting that three major media outlets are refusing to distribute White-House provided photos of Obama on his first day because the media is traditionally allowed access to the Oval Office, and that the photos amount to a visual press release.

It looks like the Chicago Tribune had no qualms, though, and ran a story with a photo by official White House photographer Pete Souza.  Obama was lauded earlier this month for Souza’s appointment, and the NPPA’s report noted the crucial condition that his coverage serve as a record of history for future generations, and not just another communications outlet of the new administration.

So, it is especially surprising that it is Souza’s work that is getting this criticism, given his enumerated role as visual historian.

A false first step perhaps.  I hope we don’t see more instances of the Obama administration forgoing the media for its own communications.  It’s great that he wants to speak directly to the people, but no matter how transparent Obama manages to be with his many-headed media machine, independent journalism is irreplacable.