US court to consider ban on CNN, Politico and MS NOW — BBC News World

In the United States, a judge is due on Wednesday to decide whether to temporarily suspend President Donald Trump’s ban on CNN, Politico and MS NOW journalists accessing the White House. Last week, Trump barred the three media outlets from visiting the White House, accusing them of spreading “fake news,” and their passes were revoked. This was reported by BBC News.

Justice Department’s position

In a filing with the US District Court for the District of Columbia, the Justice Department said the media outlets had spread “verifiable falsehoods” and that their publications allegedly posed a threat to national security. Before imposing the ban, the White House provided the newsrooms with a list of episodes related to their reporting.

The court documents mention articles about construction work at the White House, including a security bunker and the construction of a new ballroom, as well as a report on an internal investigation into an information leak. The government also stressed that access to the White House is a privilege, not a right.

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The media lawsuit and broadcasters’ response

CNN, Politico and MS NOW filed a joint lawsuit, calling the restrictions unconstitutional. They argue that the ban violates their rights under the First Amendment to the US Constitution, which prohibits the authorities from restricting press freedom.

In a joint statement, the media outlets said the White House revoked their journalists’ credentials without notice or due process because it disagreed with their work. Major television networks withdrew from an arrangement for sharing video and photographs of the president, known as the pool, in protest. Soon afterward, the White House launched its own 24-hour streaming channel, Trump TV, featuring a selection of videos involving the president.