CNN Vows Legal Action as White House Bars Its Reporters, MS NOW and Politico

Reporters for CNN, MS NOW and Politico were turned away from the White House on Saturday morning, as the building delivered on President Trump’s vow to ban the three outlets from the White House press pool after accusing them of reporting “fake news” on his administration. CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter reported on the matter Saturday morning, saying that he expects all three newsrooms to take “legal action” against the White House after their journalists were barred from entering. “As we hear about all three news outlets trying to go to work this morning, now all three being turned down, we know that he is matching his words with actions,” Stelter said on the network. “And those actions will be tested in the courts. It is only a matter of time before there will be legal action taken by these newsrooms.” Additionally, the network released a statement Saturday morning, vowing to continue reporting on the administration. “Early today, CNN journalists were denied access to the White House grounds. CNN’s mission to report on the U.S. government will continue regardless of any attempts to restrict physical access to the White House and other government buildings, or any other attempts to impede our journalism. We have a right under the U.S. Constitution to do our reporting without hindrance or interference from the government and this ban is an illegal assault on this fundamental right,” a network spokesperson said. “We will not be deflected from our duty to hold the government and other public bodies to account, and we will continue to report on the actions and processes of this administration without fear or favor. CNN stands fully behind our White House team.” Representatives for the White House, Politico and MS NOW did not immediately respond to a request for comment. More to come…