The dispute began on September 18 when the administration barred CNN journalists from the White House, prompting the other networks to refuse to fill the gaps in pooled coverage. Justice Department spokeswoman Emily Covington stated that group boycotts among commercial competitors can breach antitrust laws. However, legal experts and press advocates, including the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, argue the probe is a meritless pretext used to intimidate journalists and obtain internal records of networks exercising First Amendment rights.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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White House Led Justice Department Antitrust Probe of 5 TV Networks
US Politics6 days ago
The president’s top aides steered the decision to target media organizations with federal competition law charges after a coordinated boycott of the press pool. The White House played a central role in directing the Justice Department to investigate whether ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News violated the Sherman Act when they collectively halted televised coverage of the president last month. Network attorneys first received government demands for documents regarding the pool's formation and operations on a Friday.
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