Washington, Sept 24. (dpa/GNA) – The White House must temporarily restore access to journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico, after a federal judge blocked a ban imposed by US President Donald Trump.
The journalists’ press credentials had been revoked without constitutionally adequate due process, according to the temporary restraining order. The “general rule” is that “individuals must receive notice and an opportunity to be heard before the Government deprives them” of a constitutionally protected interest, Judge Timothy Kelly wrote early on Thursday.
The order will initially remain in effect for 14 days. Trump announced on Friday that the three media organizations would be barred from the White House, accusing them of spreading false information.
Critics described Trump’s move as an attack on press freedom and an attempt to intimidate media outlets that report critically on the president.
Journalists from all three organizations said, they were denied access to the White House grounds on Saturday. Trump also threatened to extend the ban to other media outlets.
Other news organizations meanwhile expressed solidarity with the affected journalists.
Major US television networks suspended their rotating pool coverage of Trump’s events and travel in protest, as CNN is part of the White House television pool.
The television networks said in a joint statement, that the public had a right to independent information about the government, and media outlets should not be restricted because of their reporting.
All five networks in the pool backed the statement, including Fox News, a channel Trump has often praised, and which regularly gives him extensive coverage.
GNA