US President Donald Trump says he is banning three major news outlets- CNN, MS NOW and Politico- from the White House in his latest threat to the independent press.
The move is almost certain to face legal challenges, as free speech experts said it conflicts with the US Constitution’s First Amendment protections for free speech and a free press.
Trump accused the outlets of “reporting FAKE NEWS” in a social media post, and said they “shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States.”
Trump added, “Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow.”
Representatives of all three outlets could be seen working in the White House on Friday following Trump’s post.
The White House was informing all three that they would be banned from the White House grounds as of Saturday, Fox News reported, citing an unnamed senior White House official.
Trump said there was no specific incident that prompted the ban, telling reporters in the Oval Office, “It’s really just cumulative stories over the past few years.” Trump added, “I don’t have to let them into my, into the people’s house.”
When asked what he meant by others “to follow,” Trump mentioned the New York Times and Washington Post as what he called “fake news.”
CNN, issuing a statement, said, “We have a right under the US Constitution to do that reporting without hindrance or interference from the government. Should the ban which President Trump threatened go ahead, it would be an illegal assault on that fundamental and constitutionally-protected right.”
Politico also released a statement, saying it “will continue to fairly report on this White House and future ones.
“We will vigorously defend our First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict them.”
MS NOW, formerly MSNBC, declined to comment.
Source: Reuters | BBC
