Justice Department probes TV networks over White House pool coverage boycott

The U.S. Justice Department announced on Saturday that it is examining whether NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN and Fox News violated federal antitrust statutes by briefly refusing to take part in the White House television press pool. The agency said it issued civil investigative demands to the networks on Friday.

"Members of the television press pool have boycotted covering White House events. Group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act," Justice Department spokeswoman Emily Covington said. The investigation will determine if the broadcasters' actions breached antitrust law.

The press pool, a rotating arrangement that shares video and audio of presidential events among participating outlets, has been used by administrations of both parties for decades. After President Trump barred CNN, MS Now and Politico from the White House earlier this month, the remaining pool members temporarily stepped back from pool duties, though they continued to cover open-press events individually.

The New York Times first reported the probe. ABC News said it had not yet received a notice from the department, while representatives for NBC, CBS and CNN declined to comment. Fox News did not respond.

The dispute follows a recent court order that temporarily restored access for the barred outlets after they sued, claiming First Amendment violations. A joint statement from the five networks emphasized the public's interest in independent information and warned against government restrictions on news organizations.

Bruce D. Brown, president of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said the First Amendment protects editorial decisions and described the investigation as an attempt to intimidate journalists.