Fox News supports CNN's lawsuit against the White House for revoking Jim Acosta's powers – National



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CNN's competitors, Fox News and NBC, are among the media giants who support the network in its legal action against the White House for revoking journalist Jim Acosta's credentials.

READ MORE:
The access of CNN reporter Jim Acosta to the White House, canceled after an argument with Trump

In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the Associated Press, the New York Times, the Washington Post and others have announced that they are joining the fight because "journalists covering the White House must remain free to ask questions ".

"It is imperative that independent journalists have access to the president and his activities, and that journalists are not banned for arbitrary reasons," reads a joint statement.

"Our news agencies support the fundamental constitutional right to question this president, or any president. We are going to file briefs from friends of the court to support the lawsuits brought by CNN and Jim Acosta based on these principles. "

WATCH: "CNN should be ashamed of itself": Trump, Jim Acosta goes to work




Acosta was banned from the White House following a lively exchange with US President Donald Trump. Trump called Acosta "rude" and "terrible person" by asking questions about the caravan of migrants. A trainee then attempted to pick up a microphone in Acosta, which continued to ask questions when Trump returned him.

READ MORE:
Trump says journalists should be "ashamed" at a long, hostile press conference

The situation worsened when White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders tweeted a video pretending to show Acosta that she was reacting aggressively to the trainee, which detractors claim to have been tampered with.

We maintain our decision to revoke this individual's pbad. We will not tolerate the inappropriate behavior clearly documented in this video. pic.twitter.com/T8X1Ng912y

– Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018

Sanders said in a statement that Acosta's privileges had been revoked due to his interaction with the trainee.

"[The White House will] Never tolerate that a journalist puts his hands on a young woman who is just trying to do her job as a trainee at the White House. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable, "said Sanders on November 7." Following today's incident, the White House is suspending the map of the journalist involved until further notice.

WATCH: Sanders' video of Acosta incident appears to contain additional images






CNN announced a lawsuit against Trump on Tuesday morning.

"The unjustified revocation of these credentials constitutes a violation of CNN's press freedom rights and Acosta's First Amendment," CNN said.

"If nothing is done, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous cooling effect for any journalist covering our elected officials."

A federal judge was scheduled to hold a hearing Wednesday over the lawsuit aimed at quickly reinstating the press powers for Acosta.

The White House is committed to "vigorously defend" against the lawsuit.

– With files of Rebecca Joseph and Reuters.

© 2018 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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