Major US television networks have suspended pool coverage of President Donald Trump after the White House barred CNN from presidential media access.
CNN was scheduled to serve as the TV pool network during Trump’s visit to New York on Monday. The White House later removed CNN from the rotation.
The five networks that make up the regular TV pool CNN, Fox News, ABC, NBC and CBS said they would not replace CNN while the restrictions remain in place.
Fox News Washington bureau chief Bryan Boughton, who is chairing the pool, said the TV pool would not cover events designated as presidential pool coverage.
“This follows the White House’s position preventing CNN from fulfilling its assigned pool duties. There will be no replacement pool put in place,” Boughton said.
He said other pool coverage would continue, including events involving Congress, VIPs and selected events in Washington and other parts of the country.
The decision followed Trump’s announcement on Friday that CNN, Politico and MS NOW would lose White House access over what he described as negative coverage of his administration.
In a joint statement, the five networks said the public had a right to independent information about the government.
“No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting,” the networks said.
The TV pool rotates coverage responsibilities and shares video and audio with other news organisations. The system also helps outlets manage costs and gain access to events where space is limited.
It was unclear how long the suspension would continue. The move comes during a busy week for the president, with Trump scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday and host Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington later in the week.
CNN, Politico and MS NOW also announced a lawsuit against Trump and other administration officials, alleging First Amendment retaliation and due process violations. They are seeking the restoration of journalists’ access and credentials.
Print, photo and radio pool coverage, as well as secondary TV pool coverage, are expected to continue.
The White House responded by directing users to livestream presidential updates through its app, which it called “Trump TV.”
The absence of the regular TV pool was apparent Monday when the networks did not provide coverage of a South Lawn ceremony marking the ribbon-cutting for a new White House helipad.
Other news organisations also expressed support for CNN and the other outlets affected by the restrictions.
The Washington Post said it was joining a collective effort with photographers from other newsrooms and would not publish photographs from presidential events until midnight Eastern Time.
PBS said it would not publish video or still images supplied by the administration.
NPR also told staff it would not use audio from White House events until further notice, according to The New York Times.
Erizia Rubyjeana
Follow us on:
