U.S. news outlets CNN, MS NOW, and Politico are suing the White House, after President Donald Trump blocked their access last week.
Lawyers for the organisations argue the ban breaches their First Amendment rights to freedom of the press.
Meanwhile, the other four networks that provide footage to other outlets have suspended coverage of the President in solidarity with CNN.
Here’s what you need to know.
Background
In the U.S, media outlets assign White House correspondents to cover the President and the administration.
These correspondents rotate through the press pool, a group of journalists and crew that travels with and covers the President on behalf of the wider press.
It includes wire services, print and radio reporters, still photographers and five TV networks – CNN, Fox News, ABC, CBS and NBC – which alternate each day to provide coverage.
Almost all media footage you see from the White House or of the U.S. President is from the pool.
Lawsuit
On Friday, Trump said CNN, Politico, and MS NOW (formerly MSNBC) would be banned from the White House, accusing them of reporting “FAKE NEWS”.
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On Monday, the three outlets filed a lawsuit over Trump’s decision, calling it “a direct assault on the First Amendment.”
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of speech and the press.
A federal judge has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday afternoon (local time) on the outlets’ emergency request for a temporary restraining order to restore their White House credentials.
“Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists’ credentials because it objected to our reporting. Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference.” -- CNN, MS NOW, and Politico in a joint statement.
Reactions
In response to Trump’s ban, the press pool said it would not provide coverage of the President.
Other outlets, including The New York Times and The Associated Press, said they would not publish or share images from the White House photography pool.
The remaining TV pool outlets have also refused to replace CNN’s reporters and crew.
“No administration should restrict a news organisation because it objects to its reporting,” the five outlets’ pool members said in a statement.
The President launched “Trump TV” on the White House YouTube channel, seemingly in response to the media’s position.
In coverage shared on Monday evening (local time), Trump’s audio is missing:
