2 hrs ago
Television Networks Resume White House Coverage Amid Access Fight
Several television networks share the job of filming important events at the White House.
They had stopped setting up cameras together after some news organizations were blocked from the presidential grounds.
On Friday, they began covering White House events again.
Their cameras showed Xi Jinping arriving to meet Donald Trump and touring the National Archives.
A judge said the ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico probably broke the Constitution.
The judge ordered the administration to restore those outlets’ access.
However, CNN and MS NOW said some reporters were still kept out of part of the visit.
The legal disagreement is continuing, and the outlets worry their access could be taken away again.
Television networks resumed covering President Donald Trump’s White House events on Friday during an ongoing court battle over press access.
The television press pool aired video of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s White House arrival and the leaders’ tour of the National Archives.
A federal judge ruled Thursday that the administration’s ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico was likely unconstitutional and ordered access restored.
CNN and MS NOW said some journalists were still denied access to Xi’s arrival for the White House state dinner.
The outlets argue that the ban violated First Amendment press protections and due process rights, while the administration had accused them of inaccurate or negative coverage.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, CNN, MS NOW, Politico and television networks including ABC, CBS, Fox News, NBC and CNN.
- What
- Television networks resumed White House coverage while news organizations continued challenging the administration’s restrictions on press access.
- Where
- The White House and National Archives in Washington.
- When
- Friday, September 25; the judge ordered access restored on Thursday.
- Why
- A federal judge found the ban on three outlets likely unconstitutional, prompting restored access while the legal case continues.
News organizations and press-freedom advocates
White House and administration
Press access
News organizations and press-freedom advocates
CNN, MS NOW and Politico say blocking them from the White House violated constitutional press protections and due process, while press-freedom groups argue access is central to democracy.
White House and administration
The administration restricted the outlets after asserting that their coverage was false or negative, although a judge ordered their access restored.
Continuing restrictions
News organizations and press-freedom advocates
The outlets’ lawyer warned that the White House could attempt to revoke their access again as the litigation continues; CNN and MS NOW reported that some journalists were still denied entry to cover Xi’s arrival.
White House and administration
The White House told the court it had reinstated the three outlets’ access, but did not respond to a request for comment about the reported denials.
Key facts
- Affected outlets
- CNN, MS NOW and Politico
- Networks in the television pool
- CNN, ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC
- Court ruling
- A federal judge ruled the access ban was likely unconstitutional and ordered immediate restoration.
- Events covered
- Xi Jinping’s arrival at the White House and the leaders’ tour of the National Archives
- Administration’s rationale
- The outlets were banned over coverage the administration asserted was false or negative.
- Legal claims
- The outlets alleged violations of First Amendment free-press protections and due process rights.
- Remaining dispute
- CNN and MS NOW said some journalists were denied access to Xi’s arrival for the White House state dinner.
Quotes
Donald Trump
President of the United States speaking to reporters alongside Xi Jinping
“We appreciate the fair coverage. It’s been very fair. We appreciate it”
theprint.in
Sources
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