白宮舉行年度媒體晚宴　彰顯新聞自由與民主精神

【華盛頓訊】白宮記者協會（WhiteHouseCorrespondents’Association，WHCA）於7月24日晚間在華盛頓特區華爾道夫酒店（WaldorfAstoria）舉行補辦的年度媒體晚宴。此次晚宴原訂於今年4月舉行，但因突發槍擊事件而中斷，經重新安排後，以更嚴密的安全措施及較小規模方式舉辦。(WHCA⁠)

美國總統川普（DonaldTrump）親自出席晚宴並發表演說。他在致詞中表示，美國新聞媒體是民主制度的重要支柱，希望各界共同維護新聞自由與言論自由，同時也以一貫風格對部分媒體及政治議題發表評論，引起現場廣泛關注。(TheGuardian⁠)

晚宴期間，白宮記者協會頒發多項新聞獎及獎學金，表揚優秀新聞工作者對真相、公平與公共利益的貢獻，同時向在4月事件中英勇執勤的美國特勤局人員致敬。主辦單位表示，此次晚宴不僅是新聞界的年度盛會，更象徵美國社會對《憲法第一修正案》保障新聞自由與言論自由精神的堅持。(WHCA⁠)

儘管政治立場各異，來自全美各地的媒體代表、政府官員及各界嘉賓仍齊聚一堂，共同展現民主社會尊重新聞專業、鼓勵公開對話及維護自由價值的精神。

White House Hosts Annual Media Dinner

The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) held its rescheduled annual media dinner in Washington, D.C., bringing together journalists, government officials, media executives, and invited guests in a celebration of the First Amendment and excellence in journalism. The event was originally scheduled for April but was postponed following a security incident, and was held under heightened security at the Waldorf Astoria. 

President Donald Trump attended the dinner and delivered remarks that combined humor with sharp criticism of the media and political opponents. During the evening, the WHCA presented journalism awards and scholarship recognitions, while also honoring the Secret Service personnel who responded during the April incident. 

This year’s dinner carried special significance as it symbolized the resilience of the American press and the continued importance of a free and independent media despite political differences and recent security challenges.