Journalists from MS NOW, CNN and Politico were denied access to the White House grounds Saturday, a day after President Donald Trump said on social media that he had banned the news outlets over what he called their “constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS.”
\n\n“The White House belongs to the American people and the decisions made inside are funded by our tax dollars,” MS NOW said in a statement posted on X.
\n\n“MS NOW intends to take any and all steps necessary to defend our First Amendment rights and the essential role of independent journalists in our democracy,” it added. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of the press.
\n\nMS NOW reporter Akayla Gardner said her White House badge did not work when she arrived Saturday morning.
\n\n“The officer asked me to hand over my badge,” she said on air. “He said that it was disabled. I asked why I was not able to get inside. He said it was above him.”
\n\nAn MS NOW photographer was also denied access, Gardner said, while one of the network’s producers was allowed onto the White House grounds. It was not immediately clear why their access differed.
\n\nCNN White House reporter Betsy Klein was also turned…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/