Media uproar after White House bans CNN reporter

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News organizations reacted with dismay after the White House on Wednesday banned a CNN reporter from a press conference after she acted "inappropriately."

The reporter, Kaitlan Collins, reportedly called out questions regarding Russia and US President Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen during a brief media appearance before Trump's meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in the Oval Office.

Her questions included: "Did Michael Cohen betray you, Mr. President?" "Mr. President, are you worried about what Michael Cohen is about to say to the prosecutors? Are you worried about what is on the other tapes, Mr. President?"

Collins was referring to an audio recording of Trump purportedly discussing with Cohen the setting up of a fund to pay a former Playboy model to keep quiet about an alleged affair with Trump.

"Why is Vladimir Putin not accepting your invitation, Mr. President?" she was also heard asking.

Trump, stony-faced, did not answer the questions.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a joint press conference with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in the White House Rose Garden in Washington, July 25, 2018. CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins was barred from the event. /VCG Photo‍

According to Collins, she was later summoned to the office of Bill Shine, the White House's deputy chief of staff for communications, where White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders was also present.

Collins said she was told by the two officials that her previous questions were "inappropriate" for the venue and she was disinvited to a later joint press conference between Trump and Juncker at the Rose Garden.

In her own defense, Collins said it was normal for journalists to shout out questions at the setting.

“This decision to bar a member of the press is retaliatory in nature and not indicative of an open and free press. We demand better,” CNN said in a statement.

The White House has had an often rocky relationship with CNN, which has been critical of many of Trump's policies. Trump has publicly called the network "fake news," and has created derogatory nicknames for its White House correspondents and hosts.

US President Donald Trump has frequently complained about CNN’s coverage of his presidency. /VCG Photo

Jay Wallace, president of Fox News, which is frequently praised by Trump, expressed support for CNN.

“We stand in strong solidarity with CNN for the right to full access for our journalists as part of a free and unfettered press,” Wallace said in a statement.

The ban has prompted a backlash from the White House Correspondents Association.

“We strongly condemn the White House’s misguided and inappropriate decision today to bar one of our members from an open press event after she asked questions they did not like,” president of the White House Correspondents Association Olivier Knox said in a statement.

“This type of retaliation is wholly inappropriate, wrong-headed, and weak. It cannot stand,” Knox said.

(Cover image: Kaitlan Collins asks a question during a press conference by US President Donald Trump and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Feb. 13, 2017. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency