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US President Donald Trump has announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico will be banned from reporting from the White House, accusing the outlets of publishing “fake news”. The move has drawn criticism from the organisations and press freedom groups.
Trump announced the decision on his social media platform, Truth Social, saying the outlets “constantly write or report fiction or lies” about his administration. He did not provide specific examples. Later on Friday, he suggested that The New York Times and The Washington Post could also be considered “fake news”.
According to Al Jazeera, the announcement has raised questions over whether the White House can restrict access to journalists based on the content of their reporting.
Which outlets have been targeted?
The ban applies to CNN, MS NOW, formerly known as MSNBC, and Politico. Trump said the organisations deliberately publish negative coverage and seek to weaken Republicans and his administration.
CNN said it stood behind its White House team and its “fair and accurate reporting”. A spokesperson said the US Constitution protects the network’s right to report without government interference, warning that enforcing the threatened ban would be an illegal assault on that right.
Politico said it would continue to report fairly on the current and future White Houses and would defend its First Amendment rights against attempts to restrict its work. The organisation also rejected Trump’s separate claim that it had received government subsidies, calling the allegation false and previously debunked.
MS NOW did not immediately comment on the announcement.
What rights do White House journalists have?
White House journalists cover the president’s statements and actions, question officials at briefings and report on government policy. They also take turns in the small press pool that accompanies the president to the Oval Office and on Air Force One.
The First Amendment protects journalists from government censorship or legal punishment based on their reporting. Courts have also ruled that press passes cannot be denied or revoked arbitrarily after access facilities have been established.
In 2018, CNN won a court order restoring reporter Jim Acosta’s revoked White House press pass.
Could the ban be challenged in court?
The legal position is linked to a 1977 federal appeals court ruling in Sherrill v Knight. The court found that although the White House is not required to open its facilities to the media, it cannot deny access to credentialed journalists because of the content of their coverage.
The ruling said any denial must serve a compelling government interest and that journalists must receive notice, an opportunity to respond and a final written decision.
It remains unclear what legal action CNN, MS NOW and Politico may take. However, Al Jazeera correspondent Alan Fisher said the ban was likely to face a legal challenge.
Trump’s previous clashes with the media
The announcement follows Trump’s decision last year to bar Associated Press reporters from the Oval Office, Air Force One and other events after the news agency declined to adopt his preferred name, “Gulf of America”, for the Gulf of Mexico. The Associated Press has challenged that decision in court.
During his second term, Trump and his administration have also taken legal or regulatory action involving outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the BBC. His administration is separately engaged in a dispute with ABC over the renewal of its broadcast licences.
The National Press Club, PEN America and the Freedom of the Press Foundation were among the groups that condemned the latest announcement, describing it as an attack on press freedom and an attempt to control which journalists can witness and report on presidential power.
