Justice Department Probes 5 TV Networks Over Trump Pool Boycott Antitrust Claims
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Oct 10
Justice Department Probes 5 TV Networks Over Trump Pool Boycott Antitrust Claims
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Oct 10
Summary
Five major TV networks—ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News—were contacted Friday by the Justice Department, which demanded communications and other materials about the White House TV pool.
The antitrust inquiry centers on the networks' decision last month to suspend pooled Trump coverage for several days after CNN journalists were barred from the White House grounds.
Emily Covington, a Justice Department spokeswoman, said group boycotts by commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act and that the Antitrust Division is investigating whether that happened here.
The dispute grew out of Trump's Sept. 18 ban on CNN, Politico and MS NOW over what he called negative coverage; those outlets sued, and a temporary court block on the ban expires Tuesday.
The investigation marks a sharper escalation in the administration's fight with the press corps and follows other Justice Department moves against media organizations and journalists.