1 hr ago
MS NOW Journalists Denied White House Access After Trump Ban
MS NOW is a news organization that reports on the president and the government.
President Donald Trump said he was banning MS NOW, CNN and Politico from the White House.
He said he believed their reporting was fake and unfavorable.
The next day, an MS NOW reporter said she was stopped from entering the White House grounds.
She said her entry badge was disabled and taken away.
Another MS NOW producer was allowed inside, but a photographer reportedly could not enter.
It was not clear whether CNN journalists were also blocked.
MS NOW said it would defend its right to report and the role of independent journalism.
The dispute has raised questions about freedom of the press under the First Amendment.
MS NOW said its journalists were denied access to the White House grounds Saturday morning.
President Donald Trump said Friday he was banning MS NOW, CNN and Politico from the White House.
MS NOW correspondent Akayla Gardner said her entry badge was disabled and confiscated at a security checkpoint.
An MS NOW producer entered the grounds, while a photographer’s badge was also reportedly disabled.
It remained unclear whether CNN journalists were blocked, while Politico typically does not have journalists at the White House on Saturdays.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, MS NOW journalists, and the news organizations CNN and Politico.
- What
- MS NOW said its journalists were denied access to the White House grounds after Trump announced a ban on the network and two other outlets.
- Where
- The White House grounds in Washington, D.C.
- When
- The ban was announced Friday, and MS NOW reported the denied access Saturday morning.
- Why
- Trump said the outlets published unfavorable and “fake news” coverage; MS NOW said it was defending its First Amendment rights.
Press Freedom Concerns
White House Criticism
Access to the White House
Press Freedom Concerns
MS NOW said the White House belongs to the American people and that restricting its journalists threatens First Amendment rights and independent journalism.
White House Criticism
Trump said he was banning MS NOW, CNN and Politico because of what he described as constant fake-news reporting.
Accuracy of Coverage
Press Freedom Concerns
MS NOW stood behind its journalists and rejected the implication that its reporting justified exclusion from the White House.
White House Criticism
Trump said the outlets’ coverage was fake, unfavorable and not honest, and suggested other outlets could also face restrictions.
Key facts
- Announced ban
- Donald Trump said Friday that MS NOW, CNN and Politico were barred from the White House.
- Reported denial
- MS NOW said its journalists were denied access Saturday morning.
- Reporter affected
- MS NOW correspondent Akayla Gardner said her entry badge was disabled and confiscated.
- Other MS NOW staff
- A producer entered, while a photographer’s badge was reportedly disabled.
- CNN access
- It was unclear whether CNN journalists were also blocked.
- Politico access
- Politico journalists typically are not at the White House on Saturdays.
- MS NOW response
- The network said it would take steps to defend its First Amendment rights and independent journalism.
Quotes
Donald Trump
U.S. president who announced the ban on MS NOW, CNN, and Politico
“The White House belongs to the American people and the decisions made inside are funded by our tax dollars. MS NOW intends to take any and all steps necessary to defend our First Amendment rights and the essential role of independent journalism in our democracy.”
telegraphindia.com
republicworld.com
wionews.com
“We have a right under the US Constitution to do our reporting without hindrance or interference from the government, and this ban is an illegal assault on this fundamental right.”
wionews.com
Sources
Related news
Trump Bars CNN, MS NOW and Politico From White House
Trump Targets CNN, Politico and MS NOW Over Access
WHCA Condemns Trump’s White House Bar on Three Outlets
Trump Threatens NBC Journalist Over His Candidate Endorsements
Treasury Blocks Major Outlets From G20 Finance Meeting
Trump Met OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at Republican Convention
