CNN Sues Trump Over Jim Acosta's Credential Suspension

-

Trump points to Jim Acosta during news conference

The White House accused Acosta of "placing his hands" on an intern during a news briefing

CNN has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after the White House suspended the credentials of one of its senior journalists.

Its chief White House correspondent, Jim Acosta, had his press "hard pass" revoked last week hours after he got into a testy exchange with Mr Trump.

 The network alleges this violates its and Acosta's constitutional rights.

 The lawsuit, filed in Washington DC on Tuesday, names the president and other senior aides as defendants.

 Among those named are Chief of Staff John Kelly and White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, who cited unacceptable conduct as grounds for the revocation of Acosta's pass.

 On Tuesday Ms Sanders said in a statement that Acosta is one of nearly 50 hard pass holders at the CNN network, adding that it was "not the first time this reporter has inappropriately refused to yield to other reporters".

 "The White House cannot run an orderly and fair press conference when a reporter acts this way, which is neither appropriate nor professional," the statement read.

Trump v Acosta
"The First Amendment is not served when a single reporter, of more than 150 present, attempts to monopolize the floor. If there is no check on this type of behavior it impedes the ability of the President, the White House staff, and members of the media to conduct business."


In a Twitter thread after the incident, Ms Sanders accused Acosta of "placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job" - referring to a White House intern who had tried to get the microphone away from him during a news conference.

 Acosta strongly denied any wrongdoing, labelling the White House's accusation "a lie".

Trump: "That's enough, put down the mic"
The press secretary later shared a zoomed-in clip of the incident, which experts have suggested was doctored to alter its speed.


In the aftermath, the White House Correspondents' Association, which represents the press corps at the presidential residence, urged the administration to reverse the decision.

 "We have asked this court for an immediate restraining order requiring the pass be returned to Jim, and will seek permanent relief as part of this process," CNN said in a statement.

 "While the suit is specific to CNN and Acosta, this could have happened to anyone. If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials."

BBC

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I'm Grateful To God For Sustaining Us, Says Hon. Benedicta Ebuehi In Her Valediction

-
Image
  By Suleiman Ugbokhe Hon. (Mrs) Benedicta Ebuehi, Executive Chairman of Etsako East addressing the gathering For the Executive Chairman of Etsako East local Government Area, Hon. (Mrs) Benedicta Ebuehi, it was a historic occasion for the outpouring of emotions and an in dept stocktaking as the number one citizen of the council area as she gave her valedictory speech before the management and staff as well as appointees and stakeholders of the local government. She thanked God that the entire staff of Etsako East local government area were gathered together for the occasion, even as some who started the administration with them three years ago were not present due to either ill health or death. A cross section of staff of the local government area at the valedictory gathering "The fact that we are alive, we give all the glory to God Almighty. We started the tenure together three years ago and we are still here, ending it together. To God be all the glory." Sticking to her fam...
Read more

Imiegba And Children Of Pa Akubo Esuka Celebrate His Enthronement As Ódegbé

-
Image
  By Suleiman Ugbokhe Pa Akubo Yakubu Esuka, the Ă“degbĂ© of Imiegba Imiegba Community, Three Ivie Clan in Etsako East local government area was in a celebration mode on Sunday, December 27, 2020, when the indigenes both home and abroad joined the children of Pa Akubo Yakubu Esuka to celebrate his enthronement as the Ă“degbĂ© of Imiegba. Pa. Akubo Yakubu Esuka was born to the family of Mr. Esuka and Madam Ogenikho about 104 years ago in Imiegba. In his quest for a better life, he left his birth place, Imiegba, in 1944, with his maternal uncle, Pa Etsekhumhe Ogweli for Minna where he did manial jobs for some time before he left for Kaduna with a single mission: To join the army. But it turned out to be mission impossible as Pa Akubo was not accepted into the army "for reasons I don't know," he says. "I then proceeded to Kano from Kaduna with the hope of securing a job. I was still not able to get a job." As the saying goes, 'no place like home,' Pa Akubo had ...
Read more

Hon. Benedicta Ebuehi Felicitates With Gov Obaseki On Fifth Anniversary

-
Image
  By Suleiman Ugbokhe His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki, Executive Governor, Edo State The immediate past Executive Chairman of Etsako East local government area, Hon. (Princess) Benedicta Ebuehi has congratulated His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki on the occasion of his fifth anniversary as the Executive Governor of Edo state. In a statement personally signed by her and made available to newsmen, Hon. Ebuehi stated that ”It is heartwarming that your coming into office as Executive Governor of Edo state five years ago has transformed the state into a viable tier of government whose policies and programmes have continued to attract admiration and consultancy from your counterparts in other states of the federation." The erstwhile council boss noted that even in the choice of personnel to help drive the policies and programmes of the administration of the 'Heartbeat of the Nation,' Governor Godwin Obaseki has been meticulous, which has resulted in a peaceful, harmonious and seam...
Read more