The White House has drawn a fresh battle line with the media after Donald Trump moved to shut three major news organisations out of presidential access, accusing them of repeatedly publishing what he calls fake news.
President Donald Trump has barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from access to the White House, escalating his long-running confrontation with media organisations over their coverage of his administration.
Trump announced the move on September 18, accusing the three outlets of repeatedly reporting what he described as fake news about him, his administration and the United States. He also indicated that other media organisations could face similar action.
The dispute moved beyond Trump’s announcement on September 19 when journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were denied entry to the White House and had their press credentials deactivated or confiscated.
The three organisations have rejected the move and indicated that they could challenge it legally, invoking protections for freedom of the press under the First Amendment. CNN said it would continue its journalism, while MS NOW and Politico also said they would defend their constitutional rights.
The White House Correspondents’ Association has also called for the three outlets’ access to be restored, arguing that excluding journalists because of their coverage could establish a broader precedent for press access.
Trump, meanwhile, has suggested that more media organisations could be targeted, turning the latest confrontation into another major dispute between the administration and the American press.
