The administration of US President Donald Trump is facing a legal challenge over its decision to bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, in a dispute that has raised broader questions about press freedom and presidential authority.
The three media organisations sued the administration after their journalists were denied access to the White House and their press credentials revoked, asking a federal court to restore their access, arguing that the action violates their First Amendment rights.
The lawsuit followed Trump’s decision to exclude the outlets after accusing them of publishing what he described as “FICTION and LIES” about him, his administration and the United States.
The restrictions were enforced on Saturday, when reporters from the affected organisations were turned away from the White House and had their press passes confiscated.
In a joint statement, CNN, MS NOW and Politico said they were challenging the decision to protect their First Amendment rights and the principle that government should not determine what the press reports or publishes.
The organisations argued that the White House revoked their journalists’ credentials without notice or due process because of their reporting, warning that leaving the decision unchallenged could undermine press freedom and the public’s access to independent journalism.
The case centres on the extent of the administration’s authority to regulate media access to the White House and whether such restrictions can be imposed in response to the content of journalists’ reporting.
The media organisations have also cited the 1977 case, Sherrill v. Knight, in which a federal appeals court held that although the White House could establish reasonable rules for press access, journalists could not be excluded arbitrarily.
Trump has defended the restrictions, saying the affected organisations have treated his administration unfairly.
Speaking at an Oval Office event, Trump said he did not have to allow organisations he believed were reporting negatively about him into the White House, which he described as “the people’s house.”
The dispute has also affected planned coverage of the president’s activities. CNN had been scheduled to serve as the television pool representative covering Trump and accompany him to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, but was subsequently removed from the assignment.
CNN had earlier described the proposed exclusion as an “illegal assault” on its constitutional right to report without government interference.
With the dispute now before a federal court, the case is expected to examine the balance between presidential control over access to the White House and constitutional protections for independent journalism.
