Trump administration accuses banned media outlets of 'falsehoods' ahead of court hearing

For context, the US Justice Department has filed documents that accuse three media outlets banned from the White House of "trafficking in verifiable falsehoods" and reporting which "threatened national security" as it prepared to defend the move in court.

Key points

• Last week, President Donald Trump barred CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House, accusing them of spreading "fake news".
• The three media organisations have argued that the ban breaches their rights under the First Amendment.
• It goes on to say that "access to the White House is a privilege, not a right".
• Shortly after, the White House introduced its own streaming channel, Trump TV.
• After their reporters had their passes confiscated and were denied access to the building, the three outlets jointly introduced legal action, calling the move unconstitutional.

On Wednesday, a judge is due to decide whether to matter an order temporarily lifting the ban, pending a full hearing.

According to a court filing by the Justice Department in a District of Columbia court, the three outlets were issued with a list of "reporting incidents" by the White House ahead of the ban.

As well as a report on an internal information leak investigation, the filing cites a number of stories concerning construction at the White House – including regarding a security bunker and the building of a new ballroom.

Meanwhile, the three media organisations have argued that the ban breaches their rights under the First Amendment. It forbids the administration from "abridging" the freedom of the press.

In a joint statement confirming legal action against the administration, they stated: Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists' credentials since it objected to our reporting.

"Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public's right to independent journalism free from government interference."

Major TV networks have withdrawn from a media-sharing arrangement of video and images of the president, known as the pool, in protest over the ban.

Shortly after, the White House introduced its own streaming channel, Trump TV. It operates a 24/7 feed of clips of the president.

In short, trump administration accuses banned media outlets of ' falsehoods' ahead of court hearing is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.