Three major American news platforms — MS Now, CNN, and Politico — said on Monday that were suing the Trump Administration after the US President said that he would ban journalists from these outlets from the White House citing their reporting of “fake news”.
After the news outlets announced that they have told the administration about their lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, President Donald Trump said that the move was not against the “free press” but against “fake news”. He said that “free press” is something he “cherishes” and reiterated his criticism of “fake news”, calling it “corrupt, “totally out of control” and a “threat to national security”.
The case could lead to hearings and arguments over the White House’s decision as early as this week. Trump also indicated that other news organisations could face similar restrictions.
Earlier reporting noted: CNN, MS NOW and Politico are suing the Trump administration after journalists are barred from White House, arguing that the move violates their First Amendment rights. Earlier reporting noted: The three news organisations notified the administration on Monday that they were taking legal action and asked a federal court in Washington to restore their access. Earlier reporting noted: The lawsuit follows President Donald Trump’s announcement on Friday that the three outlets would be barred from the White House over coverage he described as negative.
Emergency hearing possible this week
The three news organizations which have announced the lawsuit to protect their First Amendment rights said that the court could hear the matter urgently this week, reported Reuters. Because it objected to our reporting, “Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists’ credentials. Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference,” read their joint statement.
They added that the lawsuit aims “to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes”.
