MS Now says reporters denied access to White House after Trump media ban

MS Now, a news outlet, announced that its journalists were barred from entering the White House grounds on Saturday morning, following Donald Trump's announcement that CNN, Politico, and their own news channel would be denied access. The reason cited by MS Now was Trump's assertion that their reporting was "FAKE NEWS!" and that he had grown "sick of it."

The outlet's statement emphasized the importance of independent journalism and the need to defend their First Amendment rights, which they said are essential to a functioning democracy. The ban has sparked outrage from advocacy groups and Democratic officials, who have condemned Trump's actions as an attack on press freedom. Trump's threat to ban the media outlets comes amid a growing rift between the president and parts of the press, which has intensified ahead of the midterm elections.

The White House Correspondents' Association, which represents the press corps, also condemned the decision, stating that the First Amendment protects the press from government interference regardless of the reporter's coverage or the president's personal approval. CNN and Politico responded by reaffirming their commitment to fair and accurate reporting and vowed to defend their First Amendment rights.

Former CNN reporter Jim Acosta accused Trump of "taking a meat axe to the free press in this country" and warned that the move could lead to the creation of a state media-like system. Media freedom group PEN America called out Trump for his hostile attitude towards the press, emphasizing that the administration's actions are not about the accuracy of news stories, but rather about the administration's inability to withstand scrutiny.