DOJ opens antitrust probe into five major TV networks over White House coverage

The Justice Department on Oct. 13 opened an antitrust investigation into the five major television networks—ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC—over allegations they colluded to limit shared coverage of White House events after the administration barred CNN from the presidential pool.

Department officials say the networks’ refusal to provide pool footage of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit and other presidential appearances may constitute a group boycott that violates the Sherman Act, which prohibits contracts or conspiracies that restrain trade.

Emily Covington, a spokesperson for the Antitrust Division, said, "Members of the television press pool have boycotted covering White House events. Group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act. The Antitrust Division is simply investigating to determine whether these news organizations have violated the antitrust laws."

The dispute began in September when the White House, citing concerns over “professionalism and decorum,” barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House and removed CNN as the pool reporter for presidential travel. Fox News Washington bureau chief Bryan Boughton, who chaired the pool at the time, announced there would be no replacement pool, and the other networks declined to send a crew, leaving no shared footage of Xi’s visit.

The five networks issued a joint statement on Sept. 21 emphasizing the public’s right to accurate, independent information and denouncing any restriction based on an outlet’s reporting. However, the Justice Department’s inquiry focuses on whether the coordinated refusal to share coverage itself breached federal antitrust law.

Federal investigators have demanded internal communications and documents from the networks, and the probe’s outcome could shape how news organizations collaborate on presidential coverage in the future.