Leading US news organisations have launched a joint boycott of pooled coverage of the president after the White House excluded three news outlets from access. The move by the media companies is a direct protest against the decision to ban CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House facilities.
Pool coverage is a longstanding practice in Washington in which several organisations share reporters and footage to allow wider reporting when space or access is limited. By withdrawing from that arrangement, the participating outlets say they aim to signal opposition to the exclusions and to highlight concerns about equal access for accredited journalists.
The boycott has already disrupted the usual rhythm of coverage of the president, with regular briefings and appearances affected by the absence of pooled resources. News organisations that depend on shared reporting are having to alter logistics and may produce more limited coverage of live events as a result.
Officials from the White House and representatives of the banned outlets have not been quoted in this report. It remains unclear how long the boycott will continue or whether the White House will change its position; the development adds to tensions between the administration and parts of the press corps over access and accreditation.