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CNN, Politico and MS NOW have sued the administration of US President Donald Trump after their journalists were barred from the White House grounds and had their press credentials confiscated, according to Al Jazeera, AP and Reuters.
The outlets said in a joint statement that they had notified the government of their intention to file the lawsuit to protect their First Amendment rights and the principle that the government cannot determine what the press reports or publishes.
The complaint was filed on Monday in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. The organisations said their credentials had been revoked “without notice or process” because the administration objected to their reporting.
Broadcasters suspend White House pool coverage
ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC also announced on Monday that they had suspended television “pool” coverage of Trump. Under the system, broadcasters take turns filming the president at certain events.
“The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government,” the broadcasters said. “No administration should restrict a news organisation because it objects to its reporting.”
The White House Correspondents’ Association called on the administration to restore access to the three outlets, warning that a standard used to exclude one organisation could later be applied to others.
Vance defends decision
Vice President JD Vance said the ban did not violate free speech because the organisations could continue reporting on Trump, using public information and speaking with administration officials.
“We’re not going to give you special access inside the White House,” Vance said, describing the move as a response to what he called “propaganda”. He claimed that about 92 percent of the outlets’ coverage of Trump and his administration was negative.
Trump said on Friday that the outlets were being banned as punishment for distributing what he called “fake news”. On Monday, he wrote on Truth Social that such reporting was a threat to US national security.
The administration has restricted access for several major news organisations while granting greater access to newer outlets viewed as more sympathetic to it. Trump has also filed lawsuits against media companies, including The New York Times and CBS.
The dispute comes as Republicans seek to defend narrow majorities in Congress in the November midterm elections. Opinion polls indicate declining public support for the party, while Trump’s approval ratings are near historic lows.
