A US federal judge has extended an order preserving press credentials for several prominent news organisations that the American leader had sought to bar from the White House complex. The ongoing legal battle highlights deep friction surrounding press freedoms and the enforcement of constitutional rights under the current administration.

US District Judge Timothy Kelly stated that the leader of the US regime likely violated the law by attempting to ban journalists from CNN, MS Now, and Politico from attending official White House briefings. According to the ruling, the actions reportedly constitute viewpoint-based discrimination, which runs directly counter to the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

The ban was initially instituted after the president alleged that the targeted organisations routinely produced inaccurate coverage and falsehoods regarding his administration. While the Department of Justice subsequently claimed that the press passes were revoked on grounds of national security, Judge Kelly firmly rejected these assertions due to a complete lack of supporting evidence in the record.

The injunction will remain in effect until Judge Kelly issues a final determination in the lawsuit or an appeals court intervenes. Media freedom advocates warn that despite the legal victory, the broader struggle against attempts by the US regime to coerce favorable reporting and handpick its press corps is far from over.

Source: www.aljazeera.com