DOJ is investigating five TV networks over a White House pool suspension. It follows Trump’s ban on CNN.
The Justice Department is investigating whether the five major television networks violated antitrust law when they briefly suspended their joint coverage of the White House last month, a department spokesperson said Saturday. Press freedom groups have criticized the probe.
The networks under investigation are ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News, which together make up the White House television pool. Spokesperson Emily Covington said group boycotts among business competitors might violate U.S. law and that the department’s Antitrust Division is “simply investigating.” The New York Times reported that department officials contacted the networks Friday and demanded communications and materials related to the pool.
The pool suspended coverage of the president after the White House barred CNN, Politico and MS NOW from White House grounds on Sept. 18 and blocked CNN from its assigned pool duties. The White House said covering the president is a privilege, not a right. Pool chair Bryan Boughton of Fox News told subscribers the pool would not cover events designated as pool coverage of the president. The suspension lasted about four days and overlapped with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the White House, leaving far less video of the ceremonies and other events, Deadline reported.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico sued, alleging the exclusions violated the First Amendment and were retaliation for their coverage. A judge granted a reprieve that lifted the ban and remains in place until Tuesday, and television pool coverage has resumed, The Associated Press reported. Jose Zamora of the Committee to Protect Journalists criticized the administration’s decision to investigate.
This report is based on information from The Associated Press, CBS News, Al Jazeera, Deadline and Mediaite.