CNN’s Brian Stelter says Trump’s press ban could hurt him by reducing his screen time that “president deeply cares about”

CNN media analyst Brian Stelter has called out President Donald Trump’s recent White House ban on CNN, Politico and MS NOW.

A report in HuffPost stated that Stelter also argued the ban could backfire on Trump by reducing the continuous pool camera coverage that major networks provide. He noted that “the president deeply cares about” being regularly on camera, which could be affected if there is no broadcaster with him.

A report in PBS News stated that Stelter described the press ban "as a direct threat to press freedom in the United States,” and “a free speech test in America.” He emphasized that the situation is much bigger than CNN.

Continue reading for more details.

CNN journalist Brian Stelter slams President Donald Trump’s press ban on CNN

President Donald Trump announced his press ban recently on his social media platform, Truth Social.

Taking to his official account, he wrote:

“I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW..., and Politico..., from the White House as a result of their constant “reporting” FAKE NEWS!”

He added:

“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. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

According to a report in NBC News, the White House violated the First Amendment after it barred journalists from MS NOW, CNN, and Politico from its premises. Many key figures and organizations have called out Trump on his ban on press freedom, including Brian Stelter.

During a September 19 commentary on CNN, Brian Stelter explained the impact on the White House press pool camera rotation and noted that the ban could reduce Trump’s regular coverage, something he deeply cares about. He mentioned that the MAGA outlets lack the resources for the 24/7 work and said:

“The reality is, that those MAGA media outlets that ask him fawning questions and make him feel really good with their, you know, with their softballs, they don’t have the infrastructure, the money, the resources, the willingness to do the actual day-in, day-out work of traveling with the president, of covering him 24/7 of being there days and nights.”

Brian Stelter further noted that Trump “wants attention but not accountability.” He said that he wanted to be around the cameras but refrained from taking 'pesky questions,' and from people noting that he is lying. However, Stelter stated that in the US, one cannot have attention without accountability.

A BBC report said that when an MS NOW reporter and a photographer tried to enter the White House, their badges did not scan, and an officer confiscated them. Similar patterns were repeated with the other outlets, including CNN and Politico.

Weighing in on the current controversy, MS NOW said that it would take all necessary steps to defend its First Amendment rights and the role of independent journalism in US democracy.

CNN called the ban an “illegal assault” on its constitutional rights and said:

“we have a right under the US Constitution to do our reporting without hindrance or interference from the government.”

Trending

Politico said in its statement that it “will continue to fairly report on this White House and future ones. We will vigorously defend our First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict them.”

Trump is also reported to be planning to ban The New York Times and The Washington Post next; he has labeled both “fake news” organizations, as per a report in HuffPost.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback