\n<\/p>\n
According to a court filing by the Justice Department in a District of Columbia court, the three outlets were issued with a list of “reporting incidents” by the White House ahead of the ban.<\/p>\n
The filing cites a number of stories about construction at the White House – including about a security bunker and the building of a new ballroom, as well as a report on an internal information leak investigation. <\/p>\n
It goes on to say that “access to the White House is a privilege, not a right”.<\/p>\n
The three media organisations have argued that the ban breaches their rights under the First Amendment, which forbids the government from “abridging” the freedom of the press.<\/p>\n
In a joint statement confirming legal action against the government, they said: “Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists’ credentials because it objected to our reporting.<\/p>\n
“Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference.”<\/p>\n