CNN reporters have been barred from travelling with US President Donald Trump as planned on Saturday, in the latest move by the White House to restrict the news network’s access.
The development comes after Trump last week sought to bar three US media organisations — CNN, MS NOW and Politico — from the White House, accusing them of providing negative coverage of his administration.
Journalists from the three outlets were subsequently prevented from entering the White House complex before a judge ordered their access to be temporarily restored, ruling that Trump’s move was likely unconstitutional.
For Trump’s trip to Tennessee on Saturday, CNN had been scheduled to serve as the television network in the press pool travelling with the president.
However, a schedule released by the White House on Friday evening did not list CNN or any of the other television networks normally included in the TV pool rotation.
Instead, the schedule listed Lindell TV as the “Secondary TV” correspondent and crew. The outlet is run by businessman Mike Lindell, a prominent Trump ally and supporter.
The presidential press pool is a rotating group of journalists who travel with the president and provide coverage for other news organisations because of limited space.
The latest development follows a rare joint decision earlier in the week by the five major US broadcasters — ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC — to halt pool coverage of the White House in solidarity with CNN and the other affected outlets.
In a joint statement, the broadcasters said the public had an important interest in receiving accurate and independent information about the government.
“No administration should restrict a news organisation because it objects to its reporting,” they said.
CNN declined to comment when contacted by AFP on Friday, while the White House did not respond to a request for comment.
The dispute has renewed concerns over the relationship between the Trump administration and US news organisations, particularly over access to presidential events and the role of independent media in covering the government.
