All major TV networks suspend Donald Trump coverage in protest of White House ban

Major US broadcasters have halted White House coverage after Donald Trump controversially banned several outlets from the presidential complex.

On Friday (18 September), Trump announced that journalists from CNN, Politico and MS NOW would not be allowed to access the White House moving forward, accusing the outlets of spreading 'fiction or lies'.

In an unprecedented response, broadcasters ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC have now released a joint statement saying they would cease filming 'pooled' coverage of the US administration (via The Hill).

"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 statement read, adding: "Effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage of the President."

(Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

What is pooled TV coverage?

Pooled coverage is where multiple major TV networks film rolling coverage at the White House in a rotating order, with the footage then shared across other networks.

The decision comes after CNN was barred from fulfilling its rotation earlier today. Following the joint suspension, TV coverage of Trump attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York will not be filmed by US broadcasters.

Why has Donald Trump banned certain journalists from the White House?

Taking to Truth Social on Friday, the US leader wrote: "I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW (who recently changed their name from MSNBC due to lack of viewership and credibility!), and Politico (The recipients of an illegal and ridiculous $8 Million Dollar subscription, an All Time Record, directly from the United States Government, under Crooked Joe Biden, in order to keep them "alive." Seems like corruption to me!), from the White House as a result of their constant "reporting" FAKE NEWS!

"Media Outlets shouldn't be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they're covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America. Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow."