From BBC News · · 1m 40s
Major US outlets suspend Trump coverage in protest
Networks stop pooled reporting after White House bans CNN, Politico and MS NOW from covering the president.
In brief
Networks stop pooled reporting after White House bans CNN, Politico and MS NOW from covering the president. When the White House bars major news outlets, other networks may refuse to cover presidential events in solidarity, disrupting the shared cost system that has long governed White House press access. Originally…
Trump bans three major outlets
CNN, Politico and MS NOW were barred from the White House after Trump accused them of writing fiction about his administration. The companies say their reporters were denied access on Saturday.
“"fiction or lies" about his administration”
Other networks join the protest
Major outlets including the New York Times and Washington Post announced they would not participate in pooled coverage or share images from Trump events on Monday in solidarity with the banned outlets.
TV pool coverage collapses
Fox News announced the TV pool would stop covering designated pool events after the White House prevented CNN from fulfilling its duties during Trump's New York trip. No replacement pool was put in place.
White House launches Trump TV
Shortly after the ban, the White House launched its own streaming channel with a 24/7 feed of clips of the president, bypassing traditional media outlets.
Banned outlets file lawsuit
CNN, Politico and MS NOW sued the Trump administration in US District Court, arguing the ban threatens press freedom and the public's right to independent journalism free from government interference.
“Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public's right to independent journalism free from government interference.”
Trump dismisses the boycott
Trump said he was not worried about the media boycott, telling the Mayor of New York that all members of the media would be welcome at future press conferences.
“they said they were going to boycott me, but they never boycott me, so I wasn't very worried about that”
What matters most
When the White House bars major news outlets, other networks may refuse to cover presidential events in solidarity, disrupting the shared cost system that has long governed White House press access.
