Several journalists working for CNN, MSNBC, and the website "Politico" were blocked from entering the White House campus on Saturday morning, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to ban the three media organizations, in a new escalation of the conflict between the U.S. administration and the media.
CNN correspondent Betsy Klein stated that a Secret Service agent informed her that her press credential had been revoked, while an MSNBC reporter and photographer were also denied entry, according to the network.
Politico correspondent Cheyanne Haslett was also barred from entering the White House, while MSNBC reported that one of their staff members was able to work and enter, indicating that the restrictions were not applied uniformly to all personnel.
Trump announced on Friday that he would ban CNN, MSNBC, and the website "Politico" effective immediately, accusing them of spreading what he described as "fake news."
CNN and MSNBC announced their intention to take legal action to defend their reporters' rights, while the editor-in-chief of Politico stated that the organization would defend its rights guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
The new actions raise legal and political debate in the United States regarding the limits of the administration's powers in regulating media access to the White House and protecting press freedom and the right of media organizations to cover government activities.