MS NOW, CNN and Politico to sue over White House ban

Three prominent news organisations – MS NOW, CNN, and Politico – have announced their intention to sue the Trump Administration over the White House's decision to ban their journalists from the building grounds. The ban was announced by President Donald Trump on social media, without giving any prior notice or due process.

The news outlets stated that they had previously informed the government about their decision to file a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. They expressed concern over their First Amendment rights being threatened, warning that such actions undermine press freedom and the public's right to independent journalism free from government interference.

Trump, in another post, called the news media a security threat, claiming they are "fake news" and a danger to national security. He defended the ban, asserting it is not an assault on the free press but rather on "fake news". He accused the media of being corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated, and totally out of control.

The White House has not commented on the lawsuit. This move by the Trump administration marks a significant departure from the historical tradition of access granted to major news organisations by the White House, while simultaneously elevating new media outlets that align with the administration's stance.

The lawsuit was filed as the White House had earlier denied press credentials to the journalists of these news organisations, a day after Trump announced his ban. Trump later addressed the ban at the Oval Office, stating there was no specific incident that prompted his decision. He also mentioned other news organisations that could be targeted, citing The New York Times and The Washington Post as "fake news".

Critics, including the Associated Press, the White House Correspondents' Association, and others, have condemned the ban, invoking the fundamental American right to free speech and demanding immediate restoration of access. The Associated Press had already filed a lawsuit after being barred along with Reuters last year from the pool of reporters covering the president's daily movements.