US court asks White House to reinstate press credentials of CNN correspondent
Washington, Nov 16: A federal US court on Friday ordered the White House to immediately reinstate the press credentials of CNN's correspondent Jim Acosta in a ruling seen as a major victory for mediapersons.
The press pass of Acosta, CNN's White House Correspondent, was suspended last week after an altercation he had with President Donald Trump during a news conference. The White House had accused him of placing his hand on an intern. Acosta and the CNN has denied the allegations.
CNN supported Acosta and this week it filed a lawsuit against the White House urging the court to reinstate the press pass of its Chief White House Correspondent.
In his order, US District Judge Timothy Kelly asked the White House to restore the press pass for Acosta that gives him regular access to the White House grounds to cover events and press conferences.
Acosta thanked his colleagues in the press who supported him this week.
"I want to thank the judge for the decision he made today. Let's go back to work," he told reporters outside the US District court.
The White House said it will abide by the court's ruling.
"Today, the court made clear that there is no absolute First Amendment right to access the White House. In response to the court, we will temporarily reinstate the reporter's hard pass," White House Press Secretary Sarah sanders said.
"We will also further develop rules and processes to ensure fair and orderly press conferences in the future. There must be decorum at the White House," Sanders said.
Judge Kelly, who was appointed by the Trump administration, however did not say that if suspension of the hard pass was in violation of the First Amendment.
He said that the due process was not followed in suspension of the press pass.
Representing the administration, the Department of Justice told the court that the president had broad discretion to choose who gets access to the White House. CNN has some 50 reporters with White House press pass.
Judge Kelly in his order noted that the White House deprived Acosta of "due process" when it suspended his press pass. The court case on this issue would continue.
In a statement on the twitter, CNN said: "We look forward to a full resolution in the coming days. Our sincere thanks to all who have supported not just CNN, but a free, strong and independent American press".
The news network was supported by top American news organisations including The New York Times, The Washington Post and Fox news. White House Correspondents Association also supported CNN in the court.
Referring to a 1977 DC Circuit Court ruling, Judge Kelly said the government cannot boot out reporters "arbitrarily or for less than compelling reasons" and must follow a clear process to do it.
Once the White House opens to reporters then the due process protections apply to removing any media, he argued.
"Certainly he need not ever call on Mr Acosta again, but... the government must provide Mr Acosta due process," the Judge said.
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Instagram removes BJP’s post claiming Cong ‘will snatch wealth of non-muslims’ following backlash
New Delhi: An animated video post shared on BJP’s official Instagram handle, asserting that the Congress party would snatch wealth from non-Muslims to ‘distribute it to its favorite community of invaders,’ has sparked significant backlash. Following the uproar, the photo sharing platform has taken down the post, reports Newslaundry.com.
Meanwhile, it is uncertain whether the post was removed by the BJP or by Instagram following mass reporting by several users as “misinformation” and “hate speech”. The video depicted Rahul Gandhi holding the Congress manifesto which transforms into the logo of the Muslim league. Furthermore, it sought support for PM Modi from every ‘Bharatiya,’ who is also shown wearing a saffron turban.
According to the report, it also contained a clip of PM Modi alleging that the former PM Manmohan Singh had said, “Muslims have the first claim on our resources,” insinuating that if the Congress were to assume power, it would confiscate the money and assets of non-Muslims, redistributing them to Muslims, whom it favored. Labeling Muslims as ‘infiltrators’, the video depicted historical invaders as looters who plundered India's resources and suggested that the Congress party continues to empower individuals from the same community.
The video then communicated that the Congress party’s manifesto is “nothing but Muslim league’s ideology in disguise. If you are a non-Muslim, Congress will snatch your wealth and distribute it to Muslims.” It also slinged the BJP’s official slogan ‘abki baar, 400 paar,’ and called that it was the need of the hour, since Modi only has the “strength to stop the Congress party’s evil plans.”
Similar claims have also been made by several BJP leaders. Recently, Union Minister Anurag Thakur stated that the Congress intends to “Give your children's property to Muslims.”
