By Perry Stein, Miriam Waldvogel, and Scott Nover, washingtonpost.com, 10-10-26
The Justice Department is investigating five major television networks for potential antitrust violations, the department’s top spokesperson said Saturday night, as the Trump administration’s battle with the mainstream press intensifies.
The networks – ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, and NBC – had collectively suspended pooled coverage of the White House last month after President Donald Trump banned CNN, along with MS NOW and Politico, from White House grounds.
“Members of the television press pool have boycotted covering White House events. Group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act,” said Justice Department spokesperson Emily Covington, referencing one of the core federal antitrust laws. “The Antitrust Division is simply investigating to determine whether these news organizations have violated the antitrust laws.” » Read More