Washington: A US judge on Tuesday ruled in favour of the reinstatement of news agency Associated Press to White House events, citing freedom of speech.
“The Court... holds that under the First Amendment, if the Government opens its doors to some journalists-be it to the Oval Office, the East Room, or elsewhere-it cannot then shut those doors to other journalists because of their viewpoints,” Judge Trevor McFadden said in his 41-page decision. “The Constitution requires no less.” AP had sued three US government officials over a decision to ban its reporters from coverage, which was issued in response to the agency refusing to align its editorial style with an executive order by President Donald Trump renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” (DPA)
