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Major US television networks on Friday resumed covering President Donald Trump’s events at the White House, broadcasting the first live television images of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States.
Access to the White House had been denied to CNN, MS NOW and Politico last week. A federal judge ruled that the administration must restore the media organizations’ access.
Images from Xi Jinping’s visit broadcast
The White House television press pool broadcast Xi Jinping’s arrival for a tea meeting with Trump, as well as the two leaders’ visit to the National Archives, where the US Constitution is kept.
CNN, ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC share the costs of covering the president and take turns providing camera crews. The decision by other television networks to refrain from setting up cameras in solidarity had resulted in no pool footage being broadcast during the first two days of Xi Jinping’s visit.
Trump did not answer journalists’ questions alongside Xi Jinping at the White House on China and Iran, the restrictions on media organizations, or a controversial television advertisement promoting his presidency and produced using taxpayers’ money. He later thanked the journalists.
“We appreciate the fair coverage. It has been very fair. Thank you,” Trump said alongside Xi Jinping.
Legal battle over access to the White House
Trump had restricted CNN, MS NOW and Politico’s access to the White House complex, citing their alleged dissemination of false or negative information. The three media organizations sued Trump and members of his administration, arguing that the move violated the First Amendment to the US Constitution, which protects freedom of speech and of the press, as well as their right to due process.
A federal judge found that the ban was likely unconstitutional and ordered the access to be restored immediately. A coalition of press freedom groups and dozens of news organizations, including Reuters, later filed a friend-of-the-court brief supporting the media organizations.
Although the temporary ruling restored access, the court has not issued a final decision on the broader lawsuit. The media organizations have until Sept. 28 to seek continued protection of their access while the case proceeds.
Trump’s confrontation with the media
Since returning to office last year, Trump has waged a broad campaign against media organizations, including personal attacks on journalists, restricting some outlets’ access and filing lawsuits against news organizations. He has also called on the Federal Communications Commission to revoke the licenses of some broadcast stations.
CNN and MS NOW later said that some of their journalists were barred from covering Xi Jinping’s arrival for a state dinner at the White House. The lawyer for the three media organizations warned the court that the White House could attempt to revoke their access again while the legal proceedings continue.
Trump’s relationship with the media has long remained tense, despite the role news organizations play in shaping the US president’s public image and promoting his political agenda. He regularly portrays media outlets as political opponents.
