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Five of America’s largest television broadcasters are facing a federal investigation after suspending their participation in White House coverage.
The Justice Department is examining whether their coordinated action breached competition laws following restrictions imposed on several journalists reports Reuters.
Networks Face Investigation
According to Reuters, the Justice Department announced on Saturday, October 10, that ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News were being investigated under federal antitrust legislation.
“Group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act,” a Justice Department spokesperson said.
“The Antitrust Division is simply investigating to determine whether these news organizations have violated the antitrust laws.”
The New York Times first reported the inquiry. Reuters said the five broadcasters had not immediately responded to requests for comment.
Journalists Barred From White House
The investigation follows a September 19 decision to withdraw White House credentials from journalists representing CNN, Politico and MS NOW.
The affected outlets challenged the restrictions in court, alleging violations of First Amendment protections and retaliation against their reporting.
In response, the five networks participating in the White House television pool temporarily stopped providing coverage. The arrangement normally allows broadcasters to share reporting responsibilities, expenses and footage of presidential activities.
On September 24, US District Judge Timothy Kelly ordered the journalists’ access restored after determining that the restrictions were likely unconstitutional.
Legal Questions Remain
Although the credentials were reinstated, Reuters reported that disagreements over access to presidential events and television pool assignments continued.
The Justice Department’s investigation now focuses on whether the broadcasters’ collective refusal to provide coverage constituted unlawful coordination between commercial competitors.
Trump has repeatedly criticized established news organizations, describing their reporting as “fake news”.
Investigators have not publicly established that any network violated antitrust law. No charges, penalties or final findings were announced in the Reuters report.
Sources: Reuters, The New York Times. Independent corroboration of the October 10 report was unavailable.
