The South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA) has expressed concern over the Trump administration’s decision to restrict White House access for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico, urging President Donald Trump to restore their access.
In a statement issued Tuesday, SAJA called on the president to ensure that journalists are treated fairly and that their access is not restricted because of their reporting.
“At its core, journalism upholds democracy,” SAJA said, arguing that journalists should be able to question government officials, scrutinize those in positions of power and report on government actions without facing threats to their access or professional standing.
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“Restricting journalists because of their coverage undermines that essential role and raises serious concerns about the ability of the press to operate independently,” the organization said.
SAJA also pointed to the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech and freedom of the press, and called for White House press access to be provided on an equitable basis.
The statement comes as CNN, MS NOW and Politico are challenging the White House restrictions in federal court.
The three outlets filed a lawsuit Monday against Trump and his administration, seeking to restore their access to the White House and their press credentials.
The lawsuit followed Trump’s Sept. 18 announcement that journalists from the three organizations would no longer be allowed to work from the White House. After Trump announced the decision on Truth Social, reporters from the outlets were turned away at the White House the following day, with some having their hard-pass credentials confiscated by Secret Service officers.
The outlets argue that the restrictions violate the First Amendment and due process protections. They contend that they were given no prior notice or hearing and were not provided with a clear standard for the decision.
In a joint statement, the three outlets said, “This morning, we notified the government that we are filing a lawsuit today to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes.”
The statement added, “This threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference.”
Trump, however, has defended the decision. In a Truth Social post announcing the restrictions, he accused the three outlets of publishing what he described as false and fabricated stories about him and warned that other media organizations could face similar restrictions.
He wrote, “Media Outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America.”
The dispute comes as the White House has also launched Trump TV, a round-the-clock streaming service featuring presidential speeches, administration announcements and selected moments from Trump’s presidency.
The service includes past highlights, new updates and other moments the White House says viewers may have missed on television. The White House website now lists a dedicated Trump TV feed alongside its live-event service.
SAJA said the public relies on journalists to provide accurate and independent information and hold government officials accountable.
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The organization called on Trump to respect the constitutional rights of journalists and ensure that White House press access is provided equitably, “without retaliation for the content of legitimate news coverage.”
SAJA is a nonprofit organization that represents journalists of South Asian descent working in the United States and around the world. The organization focuses on supporting South Asian journalists, promoting diversity in newsrooms and strengthening coverage of issues affecting the South Asian diaspora.
Through its work, SAJA provides professional networking, mentorship, training and other resources for journalists while also advocating for greater representation of South Asian voices in the media. Its statement on the White House press restrictions comes as part of its broader focus on supporting journalists and protecting an independent press.