New England journalism organizations are condemning the Trump administration’s decision to bar three news outlets access to the White House and the property.
President Trump made the announcement to ban CNN, MS NOW, and Politico on Friday, and accusing them of reporting “fake news.” All three outlets sued the administration Monday after they were barred from covering the White House alleging that the selective ban against their organization violates the First Amendment.
Over the weekend, reporters for the organizations had their badges confiscated when they attempted to enter the White House.
Monday, in a show of support for the three outlets, all major television networks agreed to suspend their pool coverage of President Trump for refusing to allow CNN to serve as a pool representative.
Gregory V. Sullivan, president of the New England First Amendment Coalition, said the president’s action is just another in a long line of attacks on the First Amendment and the free press.
“It’s a disgraceful move on the administration’s part, and it just shows a lack of either understanding of the First Amendment or total disrespect towards what the First Amendment stands for,” Sullivan said. “This First Amendment is, I often say, the cornerstone of democracy. And these constant attacks on it are just so harmful to the nation and the freedom of information that our citizenry is entitled to. This comes on the heels of the selling of the Truth Social posts, which, as you know, are the subject of litigation.”
Linda Conway, executive director of the New England Newspaper and Press Association, said the press is a proxy for the public, so when the press is denied access, the people are denied information.
“We strongly condemn the decision to ban the news organizations from the White House,” Conway said. “It’s our opinion that a free and independent press is fundamental to our democracy, and journalists must be able to report on government officials and hold those in power accountable without fear of retaliation or restrictions based on the content of their reporting,” Conway said.
It their lawsuit, CNN, MS NOW and Politico say the U.S. Constitution “does not allow a president or any other government official to deprive the press of their First Amendment rights and liberty and property interests with no notice or process based solely on his dislike of the content of their reporting.”
The Society of Professional Journalistsissued a statement that condemns the White House ban, saying it strongly objects to the Trump Administration barring the three outlets from the White House because of their coverage.
“Government officials do not get to decide which legitimate news organizations deserve access based on whether they approve of their reporting,” the statement said. “A free press must be able to question those in power, report critically on government actions and serve the public without fear that access will be revoked as punishment for unfavorable coverage.”
The SPJ urges the White House to reverse its decision.
“This is not about whether anyone agrees with the reporting of CNN, MS NOW or Politico. It is about whether the government can use access as leverage over journalism. The answer should be no,” the SPJ statement said.
Conway added that protecting press freedoms regardless of who occupies the White House is tantamount to a free society. Any restrictions nationally have reverberations for local news organizations.
“We’re committed to supporting the role of an independent press, and when this happens on a national level, it could roll down to a local level. The local reporters cover governors and mayors and town officials, and it’s concerning that this could roll down to a local level.”
Conway said she’s not surprised, but disappointed by the administration’s actions, and believes the lawsuit will prevail and the courts will rule the right way.
“I think that the courts will recognize that the free press is essential to a healthy democracy, and I think that they will restore it.”
