The Justice Department confirmed Saturday that it is investigating whether the White House television pool's decision to halt coverage of President Donald Trump last month violated federal antitrust law. The pool consists of ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC.
DOJ spokesperson Emily Covington said group boycotts among business competitors can violate U.S. law, and that the Antitrust Division is examining whether the news organizations did so. The pool's coverage halt followed the administration barring CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House grounds last month. The three barred outlets sued over the ban, and a judge issued a temporary order lifting it, with the reprieve in place until Tuesday.
The Associated Press reported that messages seeking comment were sent to all five networks late Saturday. Jose Zamora, the Committee to Protect Journalists' regional director for the Americas, criticized the probe Saturday, saying the government should not use antitrust investigations to intimidate outlets defending press access.
The investigation marks an escalation in the standoff between the White House and the press corps, and press-freedom advocates warn it could chill collective action by news organizations pushing back against access restrictions.
