CNN has been excluded from the press pool travelling with US President Donald Trump to Tennessee on Saturday, in the latest restriction affecting the network’s access to the White House.
CNN had been scheduled to serve as the television network in the presidential press pool for the trip. However, a White House schedule released Friday evening did not include CNN or any of the other television networks normally included in the rotation.
Instead, the schedule listed Lindell TV as the “Secondary TV” correspondent and crew. The outlet is run by businessman Mike Lindell, a close Trump ally and staunch supporter of the president.
The press pool is a rotating group of journalists who travel with the president and share coverage with other media organisations because of limited space.
The latest move follows a dispute between the White House and CNN, MS NOW and Politico. Trump had sought to bar the three outlets from the White House, accusing them of providing negative coverage of his administration.
A judge subsequently ordered their access to be temporarily restored after journalists from the outlets were blocked from entering the White House complex, ruling that Trump’s action was likely unconstitutional.
The dispute also prompted ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC to jointly halt White House pool coverage earlier in the week while CNN’s access remained revoked.
“The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. No administration should restrict a news organisation because it objects to its reporting,” the five broadcasters said.
CNN declined to comment when contacted by AFP on Friday, while the White House did not respond to a request for comment.
AFP
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