Trump launches own TV channel within 24 hours of US media boycott; networks including CNN move court

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): The tension between President Donald Trump and major mainstream media houses in America has now reached unprecedented levels. After journalists from major TV channels and news organizations like CNN, Politico and MS Now were banned from entering the White House, media organizations filed a joint lawsuit against the Trump administration. Not only this, the angry media networks also announced a boycott of Trump's programs. In retaliation, the Trump administration has issued a direct and open challenge to the media by launching its own 24×7 TV channel within just 24 hours.

'The things you used to miss, you won't anymore', White House launches its own channel

Announcing this new 24×7 channel on social media, the White House wrote that now every decision will reach the American public directly without any ambiguity. The post said, "The big things you used to miss, you won't miss anymore. People everywhere will get direct information about the President's speeches, important information, major announcements and administrative decisions."

The administration clarified that while the First Amendment to the Constitution respects freedom of the press, it does not grant anyone an absolute right to compulsory access to the White House, the briefing room, or the President's press pool.

TV channels filed a case citing the Constitution

Three major media organizations have approached the court after the White House invalidated the entry badges of journalists on Saturday. In their joint petition, the organizations argued that the US Constitution does not give the President or any officer the right to violate the freedom of the press and the rights related to the First Amendment without any prior notice or due process if they do not like the content of the news. Due to the ban, the reporters of the affected TV channels were seen standing on the road outside the White House complex on Monday and reporting. Meanwhile, CNN was also excluded from the common press pool duty.

Trump's blunt statement - 'This is not an attack on the free press, but on the cancer of fake news'

Strongly defending this tough action of the White House, President Donald Trump called it a decisive war against 'fake news'. Trump wrote on social media, "The White House is not targeting the free press, but is directly attacking the fake news that has spread like a cancer in our country. It is completely corrupt, coordinated and unbridled. It is a serious threat to our national security and it must be stopped now at all costs."