CNN, MS NOW and Politico have expanded their legal challenge against US President Donald Trump's efforts to restrict their access to the White House, alleging that the administration has continued to penalise them over their news coverage despite a court order requiring their access to be restored.
In an amended complaint filed before a federal court in Washington, the three media organisations have asked a judge to prevent the White House from excluding their journalists from press pool assignments covering events in the Oval Office and aboard Air Force One. The press pool system allows a limited number of journalists to cover presidential activities in confined spaces and share their reports with other media organisations.
US District Judge Timothy Kelly has issued a series of orders since September 24 directing the Trump administration to restore White House access for journalists representing the three organisations. The orders followed the administration's earlier decision to bar the outlets from the White House.
However, the media companies contend that the administration has continued to exclude their journalists from certain areas despite the court's intervention. They argue that the restrictions violate the First Amendment to the US Constitution, which protects freedom of speech and the press.
Responding to the latest legal action, the White House defended its position, saying in a statement: "The Fake News has no place demanding a spot in the President’s Oval Office."
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