President Donald Trump’s remarks at the unveiling of a new White House helipad were inaudible Monday after major US television networks declined to provide pool coverage in protest over the administration’s decision to bar CNN and other news organisations from the White House.
ABC, CBS, Fox News, NBC and CNN normally share responsibility for providing pooled television coverage of presidential events. CNN had been scheduled to provide the feed Monday, but was barred from carrying out its duties.
The other networks subsequently said they would not replace CNN, leaving Trump’s helipad ceremony without the usual television pool audio. The White House livestream showed Trump cutting a ribbon and boarding Marine One, but his remarks could not be heard over the helicopter’s noise, according to The Associated Press.
“The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. No administration should restrict a news organisation because it objects to its reporting,” the five networks said in a joint statement.
The New York Times and other news organisations also declined to distribute photographs from the White House press pool in solidarity with outlets affected by the restrictions.
CNN, MSNBC and Politico have sued the Trump administration, arguing that the restrictions violate First Amendment protections.
