Among those attending: One America News Network, The Daily Caller and Breitbart, as well as some columnists and talk radio hosts.

"They were neglected the last eight years, and they're an important medium to communicate to a massively growing number of Americans who, frankly, have grown tired of mainstream media's coverage," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said in an interview.

The reception, Spicer said, is part of the administration's overall push to open up the White House to a "more diverse set of media outlets." The White House has expanded which reporters they call on in the briefing room and at presidential press conferences, and they introduced Skype seats for regional reporters, talk radio hosts and others who might not otherwise be able to attend the daily briefings.

"We've definitely done our fair share of meetings with mainstream reporters. Once in a while it's important to appreciate the folks who have really covered the president fairly and covered a lot of issues ignored by mainstream media," Spicer said.