CNN, MS NOW and Politico have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration after journalists from the three news organisations were denied access to the White House.
The media organisations said on Monday that they were seeking to protect their First Amendment rights after the White House revoked their journalists’ credentials following Trump’s decision to bar the outlets from the presidential premises.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Washington, with the three organisations seeking emergency intervention to restore their access to the White House. They argue that their credentials were withdrawn without notice or an opportunity for the organisations to respond.
“This morning, we notified the government that we are filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes,” CNN, MS NOW and Politico said in a joint statement.
The outlets said the White House revoked their journalists’ credentials “without notice or process” because it “objected to our reporting.”
“Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference,” they said.
Trump had announced the ban on Friday, accusing the affected outlets of publishing what he described as “fake news.” He said media organisations should not be allowed to repeatedly publish what he characterised as false reporting about the president.
“Media Outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States,” Trump said.
The administration’s decision was implemented over the weekend. Reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were turned away from the White House after their access credentials were deactivated.
The three organisations are arguing that the restrictions interfere with their ability to gather news and report on the administration. Their lawsuit also seeks immediate relief while the broader legal challenge is considered.
The dispute has also affected the White House television pool system, under which news organisations take turns providing video coverage of presidential events for other television networks.
CNN had been scheduled to provide the television pool on Monday, but the White House instead listed a backup crew after the network was excluded from the premises.
The legal challenge comes amid a wider dispute between the Trump administration and several news organisations over access to the White House. The administration maintains that access to the presidential premises is a privilege and has defended its authority to determine which media organisations can enter.
The case has been assigned to US District Judge Timothy Kelly, and the media organisations are seeking swift
court action to restore their access while the lawsuit proceeds.
Source: AFP
