OMM Redaksiyası
Democratic Sens. Ed Markey and Dick Durbin on Monday condemned President Donald Trump’s decision to bar reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, as a dispute over press access intensified with a lawsuit and the suspension of pooled television coverage.
The three outlets sued Trump and his administration on Monday, arguing that the restrictions violate their rights under the First Amendment.
Markey said freedom of the press was “essential” to democracy and warned that the administration’s decision threatened press freedom. He described the ban as “authoritarian and unconstitutional” and said it would have a “chilling effect” on free expression.
Senators denounce restrictions on White House access
Durbin called the decision a “blatant assault on the First Amendment,” adding that a free and open press was essential to American democracy.
“Our democracy depends on a free and open press—this ban must be struck down as soon as possible,” Durbin said.
According to the source report, ABC, CBS, Fox News, NBC and CNN normally participate in a rotating television pool that provides shared video of presidential events to other news organizations. On Monday, the remaining members declined to provide coverage after CNN was prevented from carrying out its scheduled pool duties.
President’s remarks absent from live footage
Consequently, live television footage of Trump at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new helipad on the White House South Lawn did not include audible remarks from the president. He was shown cutting a ribbon and speaking with construction workers, but his comments could not be heard in the broadcast footage.
Trump barred reporters from the three organizations from entering the White House compound last week. Security personnel turned away journalists from all three outlets on Saturday morning after the directive was issued.
On Monday, Trump said “fake news is a threat to democracy” and that he would do whatever was necessary to ensure that the United States prospers.
