What is the term for regularly scheduled news conferences held by public officials?

The term for regularly scheduled news conferences held by public officials is "briefing." This term specifically refers to formal meetings where officials provide updates to the media, often addressing current issues, policies, or events. Briefings are designed to disseminate information efficiently and transparently, allowing for questions from the press and facilitating communication between the government and the public.

While a "press release" is a written statement issued to the media to announce something newsworthy, it does not involve a live interactive component like a briefing does. An "alert" typically refers to immediate notifications rather than scheduled events, and a "newscast" is a broadcast program containing news, rather than a structured conference with officials. Therefore, "briefing" is the most accurate term for the context of the question, emphasizing the regularity and official nature of these conferences.