SUMMARY

President Donald Trump says he is banning three major news outlets, CNN, MS NOW and Politico, from the White House due to what he called "unfavorable coverage." Trump didn't provide details on how the ban would be implemented, but warned he might bar other media outlets as well. White House Correspondent Liz Landers reports on the administration's latest test of First Amendment protections.

View the transcript of the story.

NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What do you want to learn more about? You can also make a Google doc copy of these general discussion questions.

News alternative: Check our recent segments from the News Hour and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. See the Google doc above for discussion questions.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. What major news outlets are banned from the White House?
2. Why is Trump banning them, according to his administration?
3. Who is Liz Landers, and what is her background?
4. Which Amendment in the Constitution is being attacked, according to critics of the decision?
5. What is Trump doing now that is different from his first term as president?

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

During Trump’s first presidency, he banned certain reporters. Earlier this year, the White House took over the pool rotation, which meant they could control which news outlets get selected and rotated when covering news stories of the president. Now, he is trying to ban entire outlets. What agenda is the administration portraying? Why do you think they seek so much control of the press that covers them?

Media literacy: Imagine you are a writer for your school newspaper, and the school is trying to take down a recent article you wrote about a survey you took of students and their biggest issues with the school: limited lunch meal options, shortened recess/breaks, little to no funding for certain clubs or activities, and more. How might you try to protect yourself and your fellow students’ opinions?

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO

Watch one of the two latest updates to this segment:

1. Trump's attacks on free press echo rhetoric used by autocrats, Jodie Ginsberg says
2. Press pool declines to cover Trump in protest of his ban on news outlets

Answer the following questions:

1. Do you think CNN, MS NOW, and Politico will win their lawsuit against Trump? Why or why not?
2. 5 major news networks (CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, and Fox News) silenced Trump during his helipad ribbon cutting ceremony. Even though they all have different political affiliations, they stood in solidarity with the 3 banned outlets. What does this act represent in terms of journalism and freedom of press?

Written by PBS News Hour Classroom's Intern Sophia Sharaa with editing from News Hour Classroom's Luke Gerwe

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