US broadcasters refuse replacement for CNN
The joint television pool stays away after CNN, MS NOW and Politico lost access to the White House.
Major US television networks appointed no replacement for CNN in the White House TV pool on Monday. The move follows President Donald Trump’s decision to deny CNN, MS NOW and Politico access to the White House.
CNN was scheduled on Monday to report on presidential activities on behalf of the television pool. After CNN was removed from access to the White House, the pool decided, according to Associated Press, not to designate another broadcaster in its place. As a result, the usual shared video coverage was temporarily interrupted.
The television pool consists of major US networks that provide coverage when not every journalist can be physically present. The footage and information are then made available to other media. The system is intended to ensure that presidential activities are documented widely, including during travel and events with limited space.
Trump announced on Friday that CNN, MS NOW and Politico were no longer welcome at the White House. His administration accused the three organisations of reporting it considers fake news or partisan propaganda. The access passes of journalists from the three organisations were deactivated, forcing them to report from outside the premises.
Vice-President JD Vance defended the decision to journalists. According to him, the three organisations were not banned from reporting on the White House, but had lost their special access. The media organisations involved counter that the government is excluding them because of the content of their journalism.
The White House Correspondents’ Association has thrown its support behind the excluded journalists. The organisation says access must not be withdrawn arbitrarily or on the basis of reporting. CNN, MS NOW and Politico also announced on Monday that they would take legal action against the Trump administration.
The practical consequences of the solidarity action are not yet clear. The television pool normally provides footage used by multiple news organisations, but the individual networks can also report independently. The fundamental conflict meanwhile extends beyond the three newsrooms involved: it concerns whether a president may use access to punish critical media.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- CNN, MS NOW and Politico no longer had access to the White House.
- The television pool appointed no replacement for CNN.
- The three organisations announced legal action.
- The White House Correspondents’ Association supports restoring access.
Left
Arguments A government must not withdraw media access because it dislikes the reporting. Solidarity between newsrooms is needed to prevent exclusion from becoming an effective political pressure tactic.
Values Freedom of the press, scrutiny of power and protection of independent journalism.
Consequences Giving in to the exclusion could lead to less critical reporting and an information supply that becomes more dependent on government communications.
Centre
Arguments The government must apply transparent and content-neutral access rules, while media remain responsible for accurate reporting. Judicial review is the appropriate route for determining the boundary between access and editorial freedom.
Values The rule of law, procedural equality and institutional oversight.
Consequences Clear rules can limit both arbitrary exclusion and a permanent escalation between government and the press.
Right
Arguments A president does not have to give every newsroom the same special access and may demand professional standards from the media. Freedom of expression does not automatically mean a right of access to every government building.
Values Administrative discretion, media responsibility and protection against partisan reporting.
Consequences A stricter access policy could, according to this approach, give the government more control over its workspace, but must not degenerate into retaliation against critical reporting.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The factual core has been confirmed by AP and by the official statements of the White House Correspondents’ Association. The legal and practical consequences have been described as still outstanding.
- confirmed CNN, MS NOW and Politico lost their access to the White House. — AP reports that their access passes were deactivated. source
- confirmed The television pool appointed no replacement for CNN on Monday. — AP quotes an email from the TV pool stating that no replacement coverage would be provided. source
- confirmed The White House Correspondents’ Association condemned the withdrawal of access. — The organisation published its own statement on the matter. source
- confirmed CNN, MS NOW and Politico announced legal action. — AP reports that the three organisations are suing the Trump administration. source
Editor's note
The exclusion, the legal action and the television pool’s decision have been confirmed by AP and the White House Correspondents’ Association. The outcome of the legal case and the duration of the boycott remain unknown.Sources
- The Latest: MS NOW, CNN and Politico file lawsuit against Trump — Associated Press
- WHCA: Revoking access for journalists violates the First Amendment — White House Correspondents’ Association
- Covering the White House — White House Correspondents’ Association
More on this in Dutch media
- NOS — „witte huis”
- Het Parool — „witte huis”
- Trouw — „witte huis”