WASHINGTON — The Justice Department said it is investigating five major TV broadcast networks for potentially violating federal antitrust laws after the networks temporarily declined to provide pool coverage of President Donald Trump, a department spokesperson said.
\n\nThe investigation into the networks that make up the White House TV press pool — NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN and Fox News — is underway, and the department sent out “civil investigative demands” on Friday, according to a Justice Department official.
\n\n“Members of the television press pool have boycotted covering White House events. Group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act. The Antitrust Division is simply investigating to determine whether these news organizations have violated the antitrust laws,” department spokeswoman Emily Covington said Saturday.
\n\nThe pool is a rotating group of networks that share duties of recording the president’s activities during public appearances and travel. The network performing pool duty then distributes information and media, such as video footage and audio, to other outlets.
\n\nThe New York Times first reported the investigation.
\n\nThe White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
\n\nABC News said it has not received any notification from the Justice Department but expects to. Representatives…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/