DOJ investigates White House TV pool over coverage boycott in Washington
In Washington, the DOJ opened an antitrust probe into the White House TV press pool after five networks halted coverage over an administration ban.
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating White House broadcast reporters in Washington over antitrust laws. The probe examines whether five competing television networks broke federal laws by halting their presidential reporting last month.
Agency spokesperson Emily Covington said Saturday that group boycotts among business competitors might violate federal law. Covington addressed the scope of the inquiry.
“The Antitrust Division is simply investigating to determine whether these news organizations have violated the antitrust laws,” Covington said.
The inquiry began after five broadcasters stopped presidential coverage last month. The administration had barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House in Washington. The television pool includes five outlets:
- ABC
- CBS
- CNN
- FOX
- NBC
Messages seeking comment were sent late Saturday to all five outlets. CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a lawsuit over the days-long ban. A judge gave the three news organizations a reprieve. The court order remains in place until Tuesday.
Television pool coverage has resumed. Jose Zamora, the Committee to Protect Journalists regional director of the Americas, criticized the inquiry Saturday.
“The government should not use antitrust investigations to intimidate news outlets defending press access. The public’s right to know depends on that access.”
Antitrust investigations review whether independent corporate rivals work together to restrain commercial trade. Federal regulators assess business agreements to determine if civil or criminal enforcement action is warranted.
The White House operates in Washington, where rotating reporters share pooled access to the president.
