Two prominent news networks’ journalists reported being refused entry to the White House on Saturday morning, with representatives from CNN and MS NOW going live to discuss the ban imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The incident marks a further escalation of Trump’s ongoing attempts to limit media coverage by journalists he disagrees with, posing a fresh challenge to First Amendment protections in the United States. Trump had announced on Friday his decision to ban both organizations, as well as Politico, citing their coverage.
CNN released a statement affirming their support for their reporters. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to holding the government and other public entities accountable,” the statement was aired prior to senior White House reporter Betsy Klein addressing her ban.
MS NOW, formerly known as MSNBC until November last year, also expressed solidarity with its journalists. The network emphasized the importance of defending First Amendment rights and the crucial role of independent journalism in democracy.
In a video announcement on Friday, Trump declared the ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, attributing the decision to what he deemed as unfavorable and “fake news” reporting.
Politico journalists are typically absent from the White House on Saturdays.
MS NOW’s White House correspondent Akayla Gardner recounted being turned away and having her entry badge confiscated on Saturday morning. Despite successfully passing through two gates, an officer disabled her badge at the scanning point, citing that the decision was beyond his authority.
A producer from MS NOW managed to enter, but Gardner noted that a photographer’s badge was also deactivated.
In response to queries about the ban, Trump reiterated his stance on the labeled news outlets, branding them as “fake news” and justifying the ban based on his perception of their reporting practices.
Trump’s administration has recently intensified actions against certain media outlets, resorting to legal measures and regulatory steps. The President has also targeted individual journalists through personal attacks, both in person and via social media.
This move follows Trump’s previous decision to restrict Associated Press reporters’ access to various official events as a form of retribution for the news agency’s refusal to comply with his directive to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”
The Associated Press stated its intention to highlight Trump’s renaming order when relevant.