In one of the most unprecedented moves in TV broadcast coverage, four TV networks that provide White House pool coverage- ABC, NBC, CBS & FOX News have all voluntarily opted to suspend their coverage of President Trump in Solidarity with banned networks

“The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government,” the networks said in a joint statement Monday. “No administration should restrict a news organisation because it objects to its reporting.”

The White House “blackout” comes hours after banned networks CNN, Politico & MSNOW announced in a joint statement their intention to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration, after journalists were restricted from entering federal premises and covering political matters. This comes after the President’s pronouncements of barring the networks because of his take that they are fake news on Friday.

The suspension of the TV news pool means that, for the time being, no major television network will provide coverage of Trump’s events, including his scheduled appearances Monday at the White House and his visit to the United Nations in New York City.