Bush Sets Out Press Rule: Don’t Shout and He’ll Be Available

President-elect George Bush has laid down the law to the media: no more “demeaning” shouted questions once he moves into the White House.

In return, the vice president promised to make himself available in other forums that he said would be “much more pleasant” for both himself and the press.

Bush, who often was inaccessible for long periods of time during the general election campaign, has spoken relatively frequently with reporters since the Nov. 8 election.

He said Thursday he would hold “frequent” news conferences after his inauguration Jan. 20, but would not hold to a specific timetable, contending the idea of a regularly scheduled news conference “went out years ago.”

“New policy in terms of the press--talking at photo ops will continue until Jan. 20 and after that there will be absolutely none,” Bush said. “And then I’ll have other ways of communicating that will be much more pleasant for you and much more pleasant for me and much more respectful of our guests, like foreign visitors that are there.”

White House reporters have grown accustomed to shouting questions at President Reagan and have argued that it is necessary because he is so inaccessible.