DOJ probes White House TV press pool boycott for possible antitrust violations
The Justice Department opened an antitrust inquiry into a five-network TV press pool that stopped covering President Trump after the White House barred CNN, MS Now and Politico, to determine if the boycott breached competition laws.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Saturday that its Antitrust Division is examining whether the recent decision by a rotating television press pool of five broadcasters to suspend presidential coverage violated antitrust statutes. The inquiry follows the White House’s September 19 action that revoked credentials for CNN, MS Now and Politico, prompting the pool—comprising ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC—to halt its joint coverage.
The Justice Department spokesperson said the agency is assessing whether the coordinated boycott among competing news outlets could constitute an illegal group restraint. Messages were sent to the five networks seeking comment on the investigation.
The White House had described access to the president as a “privilege – not a right,” a stance that led to lawsuits by the barred outlets and a temporary court order restoring their credentials until Tuesday. Television pool coverage has since resumed, with the participating broadcasters sharing costs, rotating responsibilities and distributing footage nationwide.
"The government should not use antitrust investigations to intimidate news outlets defending press access," said Jose Zamora, regional director for the Americas at the Committee to Protect Journalists, posting on X. "The public’s right to know depends on that access."