The major television networks have suspended pooled White House coverage following Donald Trump’s ban on three news organizations. However, Salem Radio Network says it won’t participate in any protest or boycott of the administration.
What We Know: Earlier Monday, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, CNN, and Fox News announced they would suspend pooled coverage of President Donald Trump. The move followed Trump’s decision to bar CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House. The networks said the television pool would stop covering presidential events, while other pool coverage would continue.
What They Said: “As longtime members of the White House Correspondents Association pool, SRN has notified the WHCA that our network will refuse to join this incredibly juvenile stunt, which is actually more like a RICO violation by mobsters than actions of legitimate American media. Access to the Oval Office and to the President of the United States’ pool events is a privilege, not a free pass to slant coverage against—or for—any occupant of the Presidency. With this action, the major networks have shown their bias, and petulance outweighs how they envision their responsibility to cover news under the First Amendment, for which they so quickly cry crocodile tears.” -Salem Radio Network Vice President of News & Talk Programming Tom Tradup
What Remains Unclear: The television networks haven’t indicated how long their suspension of presidential pool coverage will continue. Meanwhile, CNN, MS NOW, and Politico filed a federal lawsuit Monday seeking to restore their White House access.
What It Means: Salem Radio Network’s decision creates a distinction between the television networks’ collective action and the radio network’s approach. SRN says it will continue participating in the White House Correspondents Association pool rather than joining the television networks’ suspension.
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