A growing fight between the White House and major US news organisations has taken an unusual turn, with leading television networks suspending their shared coverage of President Donald Trump.
The decision came after the White House barred journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico from its grounds. The three organisations have challenged the move in court, arguing that the restrictions violate press freedom and their constitutional rights.
The dispute has put the relationship between the Trump administration and the US media under fresh strain, while raising questions about journalists’ access to the President and the public’s right to independent news coverage.
CNN was scheduled to provide television pool coverage of Trump during his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Under the long-standing system, major television networks take turns covering the President and share their video feed with other broadcasters.
But after CNN was removed from the White House press pool, the other networks decided not to simply replace it.
ABC News, CBS News, NBC News and Fox News joined CNN in suspending the shared television pool rather than accepting a replacement chosen after CNN was barred. The arrangement normally allows broadcasters to obtain footage of presidential events even when there is not enough room for every camera crew.
The change was immediately noticeable at the White House.
During a ceremony for a new helipad on the South Lawn, the administration provided its own video feed instead of the usual television pool coverage. Trump spoke during the event, but the sound was difficult to hear because of the noise from a helicopter.
The White House has increasingly relied on its own video and online platforms to distribute footage of Trump’s appearances. The shift has raised concerns among news organisations that government-produced material could become a substitute for independent television coverage at important presidential events.
The dispute began after the White House announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists would no longer be allowed inside the White House. Their press access was withdrawn and their credentials were confiscated.
Trump has repeatedly criticised the three organisations and accused them of unfair or inaccurate reporting. The White House has defended its decision by arguing that access to the White House is not an unrestricted right.
The news organisations disagree.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a lawsuit in federal court in Washington on Monday. They argue that the administration punished them because of their journalism and violated protections guaranteed under the First Amendment.
The organisations have asked the court to act quickly and restore their access to the White House.
The case could become an important test of the relationship between the presidency and the American press. White House access has long been a key part of political journalism, allowing reporters to question the President, attend briefings and independently cover events.
The latest dispute also highlights the importance of the television pool system. Presidential events often take place in locations where dozens of news crews cannot fit. Pool arrangements allow one broadcaster to record the event and share the footage with other networks.
With CNN barred from its scheduled assignment, the other networks chose to suspend the arrangement rather than allow the White House restrictions to determine which organisation would provide the coverage.
Trump’s appearance at the UN General Assembly has therefore taken place against an unusual media backdrop. Independent journalists are still covering the President, but the traditional shared television feed is not operating in its normal form.
The Associated Press and other news organisations continue to report on Trump’s activities independently.
The White House, meanwhile, can continue distributing its own footage directly to the public.
The outcome could have implications beyond CNN, MS NOW and Politico. It may also shape how White House press access works for television networks and other news organisations in the future.
