ABC, CBS, Fox News, CNN and NBC have suspended their pooled television coverage of US President Donald Trump after the White House barred three media organisations from its premises.
The five networks have traditionally shared the
responsibility and cost of covering presidential events, with the footage
distributed to other news organisations. They take turns providing pool
coverage.
CNN was scheduled to provide the pool coverage on Monday and
accompany Trump to New York, where he is expected to attend events linked to
the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The suspension means there will be no network television
pool team travelling with the president.
In a joint statement, the five networks said the public has
a right to receive independent information about the government.
“No administration should restrict a news organisation
because it objects to its reporting,” the networks said.
The decision came after Trump announced that CNN, MS NOW and
Politico were barred from the White House.
Trump accused the outlets of publishing “fake news” and
reporting negatively about his administration. CNN, MS NOW and Politico were
denied access to the White House on Saturday, with their press credentials
revoked.
The three media organisations filed a lawsuit against the
Trump administration on Monday, arguing that the ban violated their First
Amendment rights and was imposed without due process.
They said the White House had revoked their journalists’
credentials because of their reporting and argued that the action threatened
press freedom and the public’s access to independent journalism.
Trump defended the decision in a post on Truth Social,
saying the White House was not attacking the free press but was instead
targeting what he called “FAKE NEWS”.
He described the targeted media organisations as “corrupt”
and accused them of producing coordinated and inaccurate reports, which he said
posed a threat to US national security.
The White House has not indicated whether the five-network
pool will resume if CNN’s access to the White House is restored.
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