The White House is a hub of activity and a constant source of news for the American public. However, there are some aspects of this institution that often fly under the radar. In this piece, we’ll be diving into one such subcategory – the lesser-known role of White House stenographers.
Stenography has been a vital aspect of government proceedings since as early as the 17th century. The practice involves transcribing spoken words into shorthand or other written forms for future reference. At the White House, stenographers play an essential role in documenting presidential speeches, press briefings, and other key events.
One such individual is Heather Wilson, who has been serving as a White House stenographer since 2010. According to her account in an interview with CNN, Wilson’s job involves recording every word spoken by President Donald Trump during official events like rallies and speeches.
Wilson also revealed that she works closely with interpreters to ensure accurate translations during international visits by foreign leaders. She added that her team members include both full-time staff and freelancers who work on an as-needed basis.
While most people may not have heard about her job before now, Wilson says it’s crucial to help preserve history accurately: “We get to witness history firsthand,” she said in the same interview. “We’re just trying to do our part.”
The importance of stenographers was highlighted earlier this year when former FBI director James Comey testified before Congress on his interactions with President Trump. The testimony was followed live by millions around the world but would not have been possible without real-time transcription services provided by stenographers.
However, not all presidents have held their own personal stenos at hand throughout their term in office- Franklin D Roosevelt’s presidency marked the beginning of modern presidential coverage through audio recordings (which can still be found online today). Since then technology has drastically improved allowing us access to videos from current day administration meetings via the internet.
White House stenographers have also been known to work closely with the press corps. During press briefings, these professionals ensure that journalists have access to accurate transcripts of official statements and can easily verify quotes from government officials.
One such example of this is Dorene Brower who served under President Barack Obama. In a 2017 article published in The New Yorker, she explained how she would often be approached by reporters after briefings for clarification on certain phrases or statements made during the briefing.
Brower revealed that her job was not just about documenting words but also interpreting meaning: “We’re trying to capture not just what’s being said but also what’s being inferred,” she said. “It’s important for us to understand the context so we can provide an accurate transcript.”
Despite their importance, White House stenographers do not receive as much recognition as other staff members like communications directors or speechwriters. This lack of visibility has led some experts to worry about the future of this profession.
In a 2018 article published in The Atlantic, writer Joe Pinsker argued that advancements in technology could make stenography obsolete: “As voice-recognition software improves, there may no longer be a need for human transcriptionists,” he wrote.
However, others believe that stenography will continue to play a vital role in American politics even as technology advances. One such person is Steve Frantzich, professor emeritus at the United States Naval Academy and author of “The Stenographer’s Tale.” Speaking to NPR in 2016 , he said:
“The best way I describe it is you’re almost creating time capsules… You know exactly what was said at every moment and you can go back and refer back again and again.”
Frantzich added that while technology might improve efficiency when it comes recording speeches or events verbatim over long periods (such as weeks), there are still various nuances in the human voice that only a trained professional can pick up on.
In conclusion, while White House stenographers may not be as visible as other staff members, they play an essential role in documenting American history. From real-time transcriptions of congressional testimonies to ensuring accurate translations during international visits by foreign leaders, these professionals are integral to keeping our government transparent and accountable. And as technology continues to evolve, it’s likely that their services will remain in demand for many years to come.