Why is the Justice Department investigating ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News? Trump White House press pool boycott explained
The US Justice Department has launched an antitrust investigation into five major television networks after they briefly suspended White House pool coverage.
The US Justice Department has launched an investigation into five major television networks following the Trump White House press pool boycott, according to Reuters. The probe aims to determine if the networks violated federal antitrust laws by temporarily halting pooled White House coverage in protest against President Donald Trump's decision to revoke press credentials from three news organizations.
The networks under scrutiny are ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and Fox News, which collectively comprise the primary White House television pool. The Justice Department contacted the networks on Friday to request communications and documents related to the White House television pool, according to Reuters. The investigation seeks to ascertain whether the networks' coordinated suspension of pooled coverage constituted an unlawful "group boycott" under the Sherman Antitrust Act.
A Justice Department spokesperson confirmed the probe, stating that group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act.
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