DOJ Investigates Five Networks Over Press Pool Boycott

The Justice Department is investigating ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC over whether their brief suspension of White House television-pool coverage violated the Sherman Act’s ban on certain group boycotts. The networks paused coverage after the White House barred CNN, Politico and MS NOW from its grounds and removed CNN from pool duties; coverage resumed several days later. The department has reportedly sought communications about the networks’ decision. The outlets sued, and a federal judge temporarily ordered their access restored, although some restrictions reportedly remain. Press-freedom advocates criticized the probe as a threat to news organizations, while the investigation itself does not establish that the networks broke the law.