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Justice Dept. Probes TV Networks Over Trump Pool Coverage
Confirmed
In Short: The Justice Department is investigating five major TV networks for potential antitrust violations related to their boycott of White House coverage.
The Justice Department is investigating whether ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and Fox News violated antitrust laws by boycotting White House coverage after their reporters' credentials were revoked.
The White House reinstated the credentials on September 24, following a US District Judge Timothy Kelly ruling that the ban was likely unconstitutional.
The networks, which form the primary White House television pool, did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters.
The White House has maintained that covering the president is a 'privilege – not a right,' and the networks have sued the administration, alleging violations of the First Amendment and retaliation over their coverage.
The investigation centers on whether the networks' collective decision to suspend pooled coverage constituted an unlawful group boycott under the Sherman Act.
The networks share the costs of covering the president, take turns organizing coverage, and share footage with outlets around the country.
The boycott occurred after the White House blocked reporters from CNN, Politico, and MS NOW from entering the building on September 19.
Other news organizations, including print and radio outlets, refused to step in to provide substitute coverage during the boycott.
The networks argue that selectively punishing organizations over unflattering coverage is a violation of protected speech and news gathering practices.
The White House press pool has since returned to almost-normal operation, though the Trump administration has allowed right-of-center news outlets like Real America’s Voice to travel with the president and members of his administration at an increased rate.
The investigation adds legal and financial pressure on the media to continue coverage of the president, even when they disagree with how the White House handles them.
The investigation introduces a separate legal question concerning the conduct of the television networks themselves.
Background
A justice ministry, ministry of justice, or department of justice, is a ministry or other government agency in charge of the administration of justice. The ministry or department is often headed by a minister of justice or a secretary of justice.
What's confirmed
- The White House reinstated the credentials on September 24 after US District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that the ban was likely unconstitutional and ordered the administration to "immediately return, reinstate, and restore" their access.
- "Group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act," a Justice Department spokesperson said.
- The White House said covering the president was a "privilege – not a right.” The outlets sued the administration, alleging the exclusions violated the First Amendment and that the White House was retaliating over their coverage.
- "The Antitrust Division is simply investigating to determine whether these news organizations have violated the antitrust laws." The investigation is the latest in a series of clashes between the Trump administration and major news organizations.
- The action also puts legal and potentially financial pressure on the media to continue coverage of the president even when they disagree with how the White House handles them.
- President Donald Trump has repeatedly called the mainstream media "fake news" and frequently clashes with reporters during encounters with the press.
- The networks did not immediately respond to requests from Reuters for comment.
- The networks make up the primary White House television pool.
- The networks under investigation are ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News, the Justice Department said.
What's still developing
- (Reporting by Jasper Ward in Washington and Erin Banco in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis) Justice Department probes TV networks over Trump pool coverage 4h ago US military says it disabled cargo vessel trying to run Iran blockade 2h ago UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava (leg) leaves game vs.
- Their coverage aims to cut through major debates and probe how officials make decisions.