Originally Posted by Bladewire

Both. There is a televised press briefing and then after the televised briefing a select few reporters with a special pass (chosen by the white house) go into another room and and hash stuff out again in a more civilized way and only record via audio.

The reason press briefing are televised in America is so representative if the executive branch (press secretary) communicate with the public and the media (the fourth polar of society) in an open fashion for transparency of facts.

You can tell when someone's lying a lot easier seeing their face and mannerisms and hearing the inflection in their voice