As of January 31, “outsiders” can now Skype into the White House Press Room

This enables journalists outside the Washington DC, area to ask questions during White House press briefings.  It’s part of the Trump administration’s strategy to keep in touch with people outside the beltway. Journalists attending via Skype must be at least 50 miles from the DC area.  All political questions aside, it’s just another example of business (or, in this case, government) taking advantage of available technologies.  Or, in this case, finally catching up... Skype, the world’s largest video calling service, is nothing new – it’s been around since 2003.  Sometimes it just takes a while for users to figure out how to make tech work to their advantage. Yahoo.com, 01.31.17