Understand
US Justice Department investigates TV networks over Trump pool coverage suspension
Overview
The US Justice Department is investigating major television networks—including ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and Fox News—to determine if they violated federal antitrust laws by temporarily suspending the White House pool coverage system last month in protest against the Trump administration blocking certain media outlets.
Key points
- The US Justice Department has asked ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News for communications regarding the White House TV pool suspension.
- Networks temporarily suspended shared pool coverage last month after the White House blocked CNN, MS Now and Politico.
- A DoJ spokesperson noted that group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act.
- The White House later reinstated access for the blocked outlets following a court ruling in a lawsuit brought by the outlets.
- The Trump administration has taken various legal and administrative actions against news organisations, including barring Associated Press reporters over terminology.