The Society of Editors has this week joined several press freedom bodies in warning that the White House’s news ban sends a dangerous signal beyond Washington.

Writing as part of an open letter criticising President Trump’s decision to ban CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, the Society, News Media Association, Reporters without Borders and other press freedom bodies warned that the move would embolden jurisdictions where media reporting is already heavily controlled by draconian autocratic states.

The letter said: ‘We are media organisations and press freedom groups representing journalists and publishers across the world.

‘We condemn the exclusion of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House and call on world leaders meeting in New York to make clear to President Trump that a free and plural press is a fundamental pillar of democracy.

‘Journalists are the eyes and ears of the public. Their access to the heart of government is not because they are entitled to be close to power, but because the public is entitled to independent accounts of how that power is being used.

‘Governments may impose neutral access rules for reasons such as security or limited space. They must not use access as a reward for favourable coverage or withdraw it as punishment for reporting they don’t like.’

The decision by the White House to ban several outlets has resulted in major US television networks suspending their pooled coverage of President Donald Trump in protest at the ban.   The three news outlets at the centre of the ban have also filed a lawsuit in an attempt to regain access to the White House after having their badges disabled. A judge is set to decide on Wednesday (23 September) whether to issue an order temporarily lifting the ban, pending a full hearing.