US Justice Department probes TV networks over Trump coverage boycott

· Politics · United States

The US Justice Department said it is investigating five television networks that stopped providing pooled coverage of President Donald Trump's appearances after the White House barred several news organizations from access. The department is examining whether the networks' boycott broke antitrust laws. The probe marks an unusual move by federal authorities into editorial decisions by news outlets, and raises questions about whether enforcement powers are being used to pressure coverage of the president. The White House has not commented.

Why it matters：Federal antitrust scrutiny of editorial decisions could chill press coverage and sets a precedent for government pressure on media.

Key points

  • Five networks stopped pooled coverage after the White House barred some outlets.
  • The Justice Department is examining whether the boycott broke antitrust laws.
  • The probe follows Trump's repeated criticism of coverage.

Sources (original reporting)

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