Justice Department’s Inquiry
The Justice Department is examining whether five major television networks violated antitrust laws. ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and Fox News may have stopped pooled coverage of President Donald Trump after CNN was barred from White House grounds.
Last Friday, Justice Department officials contacted these networks asking for communications related to the White House television pool, a longstanding arrangement sharing coverage responsibilities. The New York Times first reported this inquiry.
Group Boycotts Under the Sherman Act
On Saturday, the Justice Department publicly acknowledged a Sherman Act investigation, focusing on whether coordinated actions by the networks amounted to a group boycott. Group boycotts among competitors can violate antitrust laws.
The Sherman Antitrust Act, signed into law in 1890, prohibits agreements that restrain trade and efforts to monopolize markets. It allows civil enforcement actions and criminal prosecution by the Justice Department.
The act helped dissolve Standard Oil in 1911 and AT&T in 1984 and featured prominently in Microsoft and Google cases. The law outlaws contracts and conspiracies restricting commerce and prohibits monopolization.
Networks’ Actions Under Scrutiny
The Justice Department is scrutinizing whether network actions violated federal laws. The investigation seems to focus on coordinated decisions to suspend pooled coverage, potentially constituting a group boycott.
The White House excluded CNN, Politico, and MS NOW from coverage on September 18, citing negative stories, leading to legal challenges alleging First Amendment violations. A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order restoring access, set to expire soon.
Impact on Press Access
Politico was banned from Air Force One travel on Monday, escalating the standoff with the White House over press access. The White House offered no comment when reached about Politico’s travel pool exclusion.
The Justice Department’s investigation represents another clash between the Trump administration and major news outlets.
Earlier, the administration subpoenaed reporters from The New York Times and seized a Washington Post journalist’s laptop. The Associated Press has sued over access restrictions, alleging retaliation for editorial decisions.
Uncertain Outcomes
The outcome of the DOJ’s Sherman Act investigation remains uncertain. The Justice Department continues examining the networks’ actions for federal antitrust law violations.
Newsweek’s reporters collaborated with Martyn, an AI assistant, in producing this story.
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