US Justice Department investigates networks over White House TV pool suspension
In short
The US Justice Department has begun investigating five television networks over their temporary suspension of White House pool coverage, Japanese outlets reported, citing The New York Times. The networks halted coverage in September to protest President Donald Trump's exclusion of CNN and two other media organizations.
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The US Justice Department has begun investigating whether the temporary suspension of White House television pool coverage violated antitrust law, Sankei and Tokyo Shimbun reported, citing an October 10 New York Times report. The inquiry concerns ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and Fox News. According to the reports, the department said collective boycotts among competing private businesses could violate antitrust law. Sankei said officials requested pool-related communications records and materials on October 9. [ 1 , 3 ]
The networks halted the rotating pool coverage in September to protest Trump's exclusion of CNN and two other US media organizations from the White House. Sankei reported that Trump justified the exclusions by accusing the organizations of spreading fake news. It said a federal district court in Washington temporarily blocked the restrictions, finding them likely unconstitutional, and that the White House then allowed the three organizations to enter. The supplied reports do not identify a finding that the networks violated antitrust law. [ 1 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The department is examining whether a collective boycott among competing private companies could violate antitrust law, according to the reports. The coverage halt followed a dispute over White House access that prompted a federal court's temporary intervention.
Key facts
- The investigation concerns ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and Fox News. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The networks suspended pooled coverage in September to protest the exclusion of three media organizations. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Sankei reported that department officials requested communications records and pool-related materials on October 9. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the networks violated antitrust law. The reports describe an investigation and a possible violation, rather than a finding of wrongdoing.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Sankei's October 11 report described the inquiry and the October 9 request for records. [ 1 ]