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CNN Reporter's White House Access Revoked After Trump Ban
President Donald Trump said CNN, MS NOW and POLITICO could no longer enter the White House.
He said the outlets had published what he considered false news.
The next day, CNN reporter Betsy Klein said her press badge stopped working at the security gate.
A Secret Service agent told her the badge had been deactivated and kept it.
Another reporter from MS NOW described a similar experience.
However, an MS NOW producer was still able to enter with a working badge.
The White House Correspondents’ Association said the decision could violate press freedoms.
CNN said it would continue reporting on the government even without normal access.
CNN reporter Betsy Klein said her White House press badge was deactivated at a Secret Service checkpoint on Saturday.
President Donald Trump had announced a day earlier that CNN, MS NOW and POLITICO were barred from the White House.
MS NOW correspondent Akayla Gardner also reported being denied entry, while an MS NOW producer was allowed inside with a working badge.
Trump accused the three outlets of repeatedly publishing what he called “fake news” and warned that other outlets could be affected.
The White House Correspondents’ Association and CNN said the restrictions raised First Amendment concerns and called for access to be restored.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, CNN reporter Betsy Klein, MS NOW correspondent Akayla Gardner, CNN, MS NOW, POLITICO and press organizations including the White House Correspondents’ Association.
- What
- White House access and press credentials for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and POLITICO were revoked or restricted after Trump announced a ban on the outlets.
- Where
- At a Secret Service security checkpoint at the White House in Washington, D.C.
- When
- Trump announced the restrictions on Friday; Klein and other journalists encountered access problems on Saturday, September 20.
- Why
- Trump said the outlets repeatedly published what he called “fake news”; press groups said excluding journalists based on their coverage raised First Amendment concerns.
Trump Administration’s Position
Press Groups’ Position
Reason for the ban
Trump Administration’s Position
Trump said CNN, MS NOW and POLITICO repeatedly published false information about him, his administration and the United States.
Press Groups’ Position
The White House Correspondents’ Association and CNN characterized the restrictions as interference with independent journalism and said access should not depend on whether officials approve of coverage.
Access to the White House
Trump Administration’s Position
The administration implemented the announcement through disabled or confiscated press badges, although reports described differing outcomes for journalists and staff members.
Press Groups’ Position
Press advocates said journalists who had previously received access could not be excluded arbitrarily or because of the content of their reporting.
Constitutional concerns
Trump Administration’s Position
Trump’s announcement framed the restrictions as a response to what he called “fake news” and suggested other outlets could also be barred.
Press Groups’ Position
The White House Correspondents’ Association said the action violated the First Amendment and warned that the standard used against these outlets could be applied to others.
Key facts
- Affected outlets
- CNN, MS NOW and POLITICO
- Reporter denied access
- CNN reporter Betsy Klein
- Additional denial
- MS NOW correspondent Akayla Gardner and her photographer were reportedly denied entry
- Different access outcome
- An MS NOW producer entered after scanning a badge that still worked
- Trump’s stated reason
- He accused the outlets of repeatedly reporting what he called “fake news”
- Press group response
- The White House Correspondents’ Association called for access to be immediately restored
- CNN response
- CNN said it would continue covering the U.S. government despite the restrictions
Quotes
Jacqui Heinrich
President of the White House Correspondents’ Association
“I walk in, I tap my badge, it beeps a couple of times and turns red, blue, and green, and it didn’t accept my PIN number. The Secret Service agent on the guard [post] asked to see my badge, and he told me that it had been deactivated.”
freepressjournal.in
“Officer asked me to hand over my badge. He said that it was disabled. I asked why I was not able to get inside. He said it was above him.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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