The Standing Committee of Correspondents issued a statement Tuesday defending media outlets that Donald Trump’s presidential campaign has banned from covering his events due to what he perceives as unfair coverage.  

“The founders drafted the First Amendment to ensure that a robust and independent press would hold public officials, and those who hold public office, accountable to the public,” the statement reads. “The reports by The Washington Post and other news organizations are in the highest tradition of American journalism. Candidates should respond to such scrutiny with facts and arguments, not by banning the messenger.”  

The Post is just the latest media organization Trump’s campaign has decided to deny credentials for the likely GOP nominee’s events. Others include Politico, Huffington Post, BuzzFeed, National Review and the Des Moines Register.  

The Standing Committee represents daily and online news publications, including CQ.

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