Ian Juarez Saturday, Sept. 26 – CNN barred from Air Force One Travel with President Trumps trip to Tennessee.
EDINBURG – Three major news networks are suing the U.S. government for banning them from White House coverage.
On Saturday, Sept. 19, the White House banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from event coverage within the building.
Just a day before, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social and said the ban came “as a result of their constant ‘reporting’ fake news.”
As a result of the ban, CNN, MS NOW and Politico were not allowed to enter the White House ahead of a ceremony for a new helipad on September 21st.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico released a joint statement on the same day.
Gregory Selber, UTRGV Professor of Communication, said historically there “have been attempts to either censor” or “strong arm the press.”
“So, they don’t have a right based on the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights, but intermittently, administration seemed like it’s a good idea to try to manage the message,” Selber said. “Basically, the press doesn’ttell the president how to do his job. The president probably shouldn’t be telling the press how to do its job. I mean, it’s kind of there is a give and take.”
This ban led to other news networks including NBC, ABC and Fox News to not cover the helipad ceremony on Monday in solidarity.
Federal Judge Timothy J. Kelly ordered the press passes to be reinstated on the morning of September 24th after an emergency request by the three affected news organizations.
The networks reported that some staff were denied entry at an event with The Peoples Republic of China President Xi Jinping visiting the White House.
In a “rare” five-way joint statement by ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC stated:
“The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.”
Regarding the lawsuit, Selber says for its potential success, “the proof is always in the pudding.”
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