CNN, MS NOW and Politico have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after their reporters were barred from the White House.
The three news outlets said on Monday they had notified the U.S. government of the suit, which seeks to protect their First Amendment rights and challenge the withdrawal of their White House access.
The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, with the organisations seeking emergency court action to restore access for their journalists.
The outlets said the White House revoked their reporters’ credentials without notice or a process to challenge the decision because the administration objected to their reporting.“
Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference,” they said in a joint statement.
President Donald Trump announced the ban on Friday, accusing CNN, MS NOW and Politico of repeatedly publishing what he described as “fake news” about him, his administration and the United States.
He also warned that other news organisations could face similar restrictions, though he did not name them.
The ban was enforced on Saturday when CNN White House reporter Betsy Klein, MS NOW reporter Akayla Gardner and Politico reporter Cheyenne Haslett were denied entry to the White House and had their press credentials deactivated or confiscated.
CNN had also been scheduled to serve as the White House television pool broadcaster on Monday, but the White House listed a backup crew instead.
The lawsuit adds to an ongoing legal and political dispute between the Trump administration and several news organisations over access to the White House and the rights of journalists covering the president.
The White House had not immediately responded to requests for comment.
