While the US President Trump is in conflict with several media outlets, a US federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to temporarily lift the ban on journalists from CNN, MS NOW (formerly known as Microsoft National Broadcasting Company MSNBC), and POLITICO entering the White House.
According to Bloomberg's report on September 24th, this ruling represents a preliminary victory for these news organizations in their lawsuit. They alleged that Trump and senior officials of his government had 'directly violated' the rights protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and they sought illegal retaliation due to their reporting on the government.
This temporary restraining order was issued by Timothy J. Kelly, a U.S. federal judge nominated by Trump, and is valid for two weeks. In his ruling, he stated that the court will arrange emergency hearings regarding the preliminary injunction within this period.
On September 18th local time, U.S. President Trump posted on social media stating that he would ban CNN, MSNBC, and POLITICO from entering the White House, “because they continue to report false news.”
On September 19 local time, Betsy Klein, a senior White House reporter for CNN, Akayla Gardner, an White House reporter for MS NOW, and Cheyenne Haslett, a White House reporter for POLITICO, were both denied access to the White House. Their journalist IDs were revoked or taken away on the spot. The three media outlets subsequently stated that they would continue to report on the Trump administration and were prepared to defend the right to interview based on the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
On September 21 local time, American Broadcasting Company (ABC News), Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS News), CNN, National Broadcasting Company (NBC News), and Fox News issued a joint statement opposing the White House's restriction on interview access due to dissatisfaction with media reports.
Five television networks have stated in their statement that the public has the right to obtain accurate and independent information about the government. “No government should restrict any media outlet because of dissatisfaction with a single news organization's report."
On the same day, CNN, MS NNOW, and POLITICO took the Trump administration to court. The three media outlets filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and also requested a temporary restraining order, demanding an immediate restoration of journalists’ access to the White House for interviews.
