Deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders approached the lectern Thursday to take questions from White House reporters and then she was suddenly gone.

At least for TV viewers.

CNN producers cut back quickly to anchor Wolf Blitzer, who said the White House had barred video coverage of the daily press conference, which continued off-screen. Audio recordings were allowed but could only be broadcast after it ended.

Its strange to me, especially as a former White House correspondent, why on an important day like this, they dont want the American public to see this live, Blitzer said on air. Over on Fox News , host Martha MacCallum said that news conferences have to happen live and they have to be documented with audio and in every possible way.

Donald Trump s White House doesnt legally have to hold any briefings and, given the presidents unmatched hostility toward the news media, it seems unlikely theyll be swayed by journalists concerns about transparency or commitment to democratic ideals. Press secretary Sean Spicer defended the White Houses accessibility on Wednesday, even as briefings have occurred infrequently and ground rules change day to day. Spicer barred audio and video at Mondays briefing, but allowed both on Tuesday.

For decades, Republican and Democratic White Houses have customarily held on-camera briefings in the afternoon, except when the president is traveling or due to special circumstances. Past administrations have also held off-camera gaggles in the press secretarys office. But those less formal, morning meetings werent considered a substitute for on-camera briefings in the afternoon.

CNN chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta blasted Mondays no-camera restrictions, suggesting journalists should walk out in protest.

Why should reporters show up then? asked MSNBC host Joy Reid regarding Thursdays briefing after the White House announced video and audio was not permitted (before switching for no apparent reason to audio being allowed, but embargoed until its conclusion).

The White Houses restrictions have also prompted Twitter users to urge reporters to take a public stand by walking out of the briefing room until things change. But getting dozens of highly competitive reporters to walk out of the briefing room en masse isnt easy, and veteran journalists say such a dramatic and visible display of collective action has never happened.