Major US television networks have suspended White House pool coverage after the Trump administration barred journalists from CNN, Politico and MS Now from entering the White House grounds.
ABC, CBS, Fox News, NBC and CNN are part of the television pool that shares responsibility for recording and distributing footage of presidential events. After the White House prevented CNN from carrying out its assigned pool duties, the networks said they would stop providing televised pool coverage.
The decision followed legal action by CNN, Politico and MS Now. The three organisations filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the restrictions violate their First Amendment rights.
The White House has defended the restrictions. Trump said in a Truth Social post that he was responding to what he described as negative reporting about him. He has also said the restrictions are related to national security concerns.
After the television networks announced their decision, the White House promoted its own online video feed under the name “Trump TV”. It said the feed would provide live events, announcements and other administration material directly to viewers.
The dispute has also affected still photography. The Washington Post, the New York Times and the Associated Press said they would not publish or distribute photographs taken through the White House photography pool for a period in support of the barred outlets.
The broadcast networks said the public has an interest in receiving accurate and independent information about government and that access should not be restricted because an administration objects to reporting.
Print, radio and wire-service journalists continued covering the president’s movements and events, meaning the suspension affected television pool footage rather than all reporting from the White House.
The legal challenge remains before a federal court, while the White House access restrictions continue to be contested.
Source: The Guardian
