The Black Lens, Spokane's first African-American newspaper, was given credentials this morning to cover Donald Trump's speech in Spokane. Perhaps common sense won out. In any event, the campaign and the newspaper's readers are better served by the decision.

   Editor Sandra Williams told reporter Rachel Alexander she received no explanation for the reversal by the Trump campaign, but she believes coverage yesterday of the Trump camp's denial of credentials may have prompted the change of heart. A Trump aide told reporter Eli Francovich on Saturday afternoon that she was sure the initial rejection was "just a mixup" and that they do not intentionally exclude people from covering events.

Williams was given very little explanation in the first place on Friday as to why she was not being given credentials. In any event, the Trump team finally made the right decision. However, a local news website, Spokane Action News, was denied access to the speech for no apparent reason. That denial was unfortunate and unjustified.

   Meanwhile, speaking to a large crowd at the Convention Center, Trump called the press "the world's most dishonest people," prompting many in the audience to turn toward the press pen, booing. Media bashing is nothing new. Such tactics have been political sport for decades. And so it goes.

 

---

---