Fox News competitor OANN backs Trump White House against CNN
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The conservative One America News Network is breaking with most media organizations by supporting the White House against CNN in the legal battle over correspondent Jim Acosta's suspended press badge.
"WE are going to file in the CNN vs White House court an Amicus Brief in favor of the White House. Acosta’s actions are stopping our people from getting their questions answered, so that we can give our audience the real news direct from our President. ... Can’t believe Fox is on the other side, but they have direct communication to the President. We are lucky if we get a five minute interview once a quarter."— OANN CEO Robert Herring
Between the lines: OANN is a competitor to Fox News and is struggling to pull itself from the bottom of the cable ratings. But Marc Fisher of the Washington Post writes, "it is nonetheless one of President Trump's favorite media outlets."
- "[CEO Robert Herring] often said OAN’s purpose was to give viewers the news they needed to make educated choices. But he increasingly directed the newsroom to cover stories that reflected his personal views," WaPo reports.
- The network focuses on conservative topics such as anti-abortion issues and defending police in shootings.
- It reportedly minimizes coverage of the Russia investigation and refrains from covering the troubles of the White House.
Thought bubble from Axios' Sara Fischer: Conservative outlets are trying to ensure that they have support from the press corps should they face adversity from a Democratic-leaning administration in the future. Fox News received support from the White House press corps in 2009 amid friction with the Obama administration.
