The White House has barred CNN reporters from traveling with US President Donald Trump on his trip to Tennessee scheduled for Saturday. According to a schedule released by the White House on Friday evening, CNN was not listed as part of the press "pool" traveling with the president. The pool is a rotating group of journalists that travel with the president and provide coverage to other outlets due to limited space.
The move is the latest in a series of restrictions imposed by the White House on CNN. Last week, President Trump sought to ban three US outlets - CNN, MSNBC, and Politico - from the White House, accusing them of providing only negative coverage of him. However, a judge ordered their access to be temporarily restored, saying Trump's move was likely unconstitutional.
The White House schedule for Trump's trip to Tennessee listed a "Secondary TV" correspondent and crew from Lindell TV, a staunchly pro-Trump outlet run by businessman Mike Lindell, a close ally of the president. This move has raised concerns about the administration's relationship with the media and its commitment to transparency.
The decision to bar CNN from traveling with the president was met with criticism from the media community. Earlier this week, the top five US broadcasters - ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, and NBC - made a rare joint move to halt pool coverage of the White House in solidarity with CNN. The broadcasters said that the public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government.
The joint statement from the broadcasters emphasized that no administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting. CNN declined to comment when reached by AFP on Friday, while the White House did not respond to a request for comment.
This is not the first time the Trump administration has faced criticism for its handling of the media. The president has had a contentious relationship with the press throughout his presidency, often accusing media outlets of providing biased coverage. The restrictions on CNN's access to the White House have raised concerns about the administration's commitment to press freedom.
The incident has sparked a wider debate about the role of the media in a democratic society and the importance of a free press in holding those in power accountable. The White House's decision to bar CNN from traveling with the president has been seen as a further escalation in the tensions between the administration and the media.
Key points
- The White House has barred CNN reporters from traveling with US President Donald Trump on his trip to Tennessee.
- The move is the latest in a series of restrictions imposed by the White House on CNN.
- The decision has sparked criticism from the media community and raised concerns about the administration's commitment to transparency and press freedom.
