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SOC Journalism Faculty Statement on White House Suspension of Press Credentials

Jim Acosta and Donald Trump on CNN
CNN's Jim Acosta, left, and President Donald Trump at the Nov. 7, 2018 White House press conference.

The president of the United States suspended the media credentials of CNN chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta, who in a heated exchange at a White House news conference Wednesday did what journalists do: He questioned an authority figure about public statements about policy issues. A free and independent press is essential to democracy. We view this action by the White House as a violation of the free press clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. We condemn this restriction on a journalist questioning those in power.

American University School of Communication Journalism Faculty
Nov. 8, 2018