Tara McGowan, a Democratic political operative behind a network of left-leaning media organizations, has maintained access to President Biden’s White House, visiting nearly 20 times. McGowan, founder and publisher of Courier Newsroom, participated in several one-on-one meetings with top White House aides, including those involved in digital strategy. This access raised questions about coordination between McGowan’s media outlets and the White House, as Courier Newsroom focuses on online engagement and messaging on social media. McGowan’s connections paid off when Courier Newsroom landed an exclusive interview with President Biden last year.
In addition to her visits to the White House, McGowan also met with top aides who previously worked for key figures within the administration, such as then-White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain. These interactions occurred multiple times between April and August 2022. McGowan’s education and work experience include time spent on former President Obama’s re-election campaign and working for Priorities USA Action. In 2021, she launched Good Information Inc. to counter fake news and acquired Courier Newsroom as part of its operations. Courier Newsroom has launched a strategy to boost Democratic politicians during the 2020 elections, with some news pieces resembling press releases from politicians.
Courier Newsroom has expanded its network nationwide, launching additional newsrooms in various states. The organization has been criticized for being a political operation that produces hyperlocal partisan propaganda. Despite receiving millions of dollars in funding from liberal mega-donors such as the George Soros-bankrolled Open Society Foundations, the organization maintains that it provides values-driven journalism. One of the grants received by Courier Newsroom was specifically earmarked for supporting journalism on democracy and voting rights issues. LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, another left-wing mega-donor, has also provided significant funding to the organization.
The White House defended its engagement with a wide range of media, including Courier Newsroom, and highlighted the restoration of regular White House press briefings. However, details about the nature of the meetings between McGowan and White House aides were not provided. McGowan’s Good Information Inc. declined to comment on her access to the Biden administration and the purpose of her visits to the White House. The organization has faced scrutiny for its business model and connections to Democratic politicians, raising concerns about potential coordination between the media outlets and the White House. Despite the controversy surrounding her operations, McGowan continues to play a prominent role in the media landscape.
