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Judge orders White House to restore temporary access to CNN, MS NOW, Politico
A US federal judge on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to reinstate White House access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico on a temporary basis, after their reporters were banned from the premises over what Trump called “fake news”.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico had filed a joint lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order against the ban, on the grounds that it violated the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
In his ruling judge Timothy Kelly said the revocation of the press passes “likely violated their constitutional due process rights.”
“The ‘general rule’ is that ‘individuals must receive notice and an opportunity to be heard before the Government deprives them’ of a constitutionally protected interest,” the judge held.
The judge ruled that press credentials of the three outlets should be reinstated “until further Order of the Court or the expiration of this Temporary Restraining Order”, which is to remain in effect for 14 days, adding that the order cannot be immediately appealed.
The US justice department had argued that the president can “control reporters’ access to restricted presidential areas, such as the Oval Office.”
“Access to the White House is a privilege — not a right,” it said.
Trump had on Friday banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House over what he called “fake news”.
The president threatened that more of such news outlets would receive similar prohibition.
The US president had long criticised several media outlets over false reportage and their knack for truth distortion in favour of the Left.
He has maintained that these news outlets deliberately disinform the public about his office, programs and policies, in order to cast him in a negative light.
He had in the past filed several lawsuits against news organizations, while calling out individual reporters in person or over social media.
