The US Justice Department has opened an antitrust investigation into whether a group of major television networks broke federal law when they stopped covering the White House after the administration revoked press credentials for reporters from three news organisations, including CNN.
According to the department, the probe involves ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News.
“Group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act,” a Justice Department spokesperson said.
“The Antitrust Division is simply investigating to determine whether these news organisations have violated the antitrust laws,” they added.
The inquiry marks the latest flashpoint in an ongoing confrontation between the Trump administration and prominent news outlets.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly branded the mainstream media “fake news” and has frequently sparred with reporters in press encounters.
The move also raises the legal stakes—and potentially the financial risk—for news organisations that may feel pressure to maintain coverage of the president even when they object to how the White House treats the press.
The networks did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The New York Times first reported the existence of the investigation.
The investigation follows weeks of strained relations between the White House and the press.
Credentials revoked in September
On 19 September, the White House barred reporters from CNN, Politico, and MS NOW from entering the building by revoking their credentials.
The White House argued that covering the president was a “privilege – not a right.”
The affected outlets filed suit against the administration, contending the exclusions violated the First Amendment and amounted to retaliation for their reporting.
CNN is one of five news organisations—alongside ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC—that form the primary White House television pool.
Through the pool system, the networks split the costs of covering the president, rotate responsibility for organising coverage and then distribute the footage to outlets nationwide.
In a show of solidarity, all five television networks that cover the White House, including Fox News, halted coverage and declined to arrange replacement coverage.
The White House restored the credentials on 24 September after US District Judge Timothy Kelly found the ban was likely unconstitutional and ordered the administration to “immediately return, reinstate, and restore” their access.
Even after that ruling, however, disagreements persisted over access to certain presidential events and pool assignments.
