Five US TV networks halt Trump coverage over White House media ban

Five major US television networks, including CNN, ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC, halted their coverage of President Donald Trump's activities in protest over his decision to ban three leading outlets from the White House. The networks went on strike after Trump ordered the ban on Friday, following a pattern of attacking the US media for years.

The boycott was a show of solidarity with CNN, which had been scheduled to serve as the White House TV pool for the day on Monday. In their joint statement, the networks said, "The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting."

The networks filed a lawsuit seeking the immediate overturning of the ban and a ruling that it violated the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees the right to free speech. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, which sued Trump over the White House press ban, claiming it was a direct assault on the First Amendment and a blatant violation of fundamental constitutional principles.