US television networks staged an extraordinary revolt Monday when they effectively boycotted coverage of President Donald Trump in protest at his decision to ban three leading outlets from the White House.
US Broadcasters Suspend White House Pool Coverage in Solidarity with CNN
In an unprecedented move, the top five US broadcasters announced on Monday that they are suspending their “pool” coverage of the White House. This decision, which allows a single broadcaster to film on behalf of all television networks for the day, comes in solidarity with CNN amid ongoing tensions in the media landscape.
Trump’s sudden announcement of the ban on Friday stunned the media — and reportedly many in his own administration. “The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. Vice President JD Vance — a former CNN commentator before his move into politics — accused the outlets of disseminating “left-wing propaganda.
Because it objects to its reporting,” ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC said in a statement, no administration should restrict a news organisation.
“This ban could not be a more direct assault on the First Amendment nor a more blatant violation of our most fundamental constitutional principles,” the organisations said in a court filing. “The White House is not instituting an assault on the Free Press, something which I cherish,” Trump said on his Truth Social network. “Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference,” they said in their joint statement.
