Judge Rules on AP Ban

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution states:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Earlier this year the Associated Press (AP) was barred from covering events in the White House.

On April 8, U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden ruled that the White House must restore full access to the AP and be allowed to cover all presidential events.

The judge’s ruling affirmed that, “on First Amendment grounds that the government cannot punish the news organization for the content of its speech.”

However, on April 9, the White House has appealed the ruling.

The White House banned the AP after the news outlet refused to follow the Executive Order renaming the Gulf surrounding Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida to the Gulf of America from the Gulf of Mexico.  Judge McFadden stated, “the government can’t retaliate against the AP’s decision.”

In his decision, Judge McFadden wrote, “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.  The Constitution requires no less.”
AP spokeswoman Lauren Easton noted, “we are gratified by the court’s decision.  Today’s ruling affirms the fundamental right of the press and public to speak freely without government retaliation. This is a freedom guaranteed for all Americans in the U.S. Constitution.”