The US Justice Department has defended President Donald Trump’s decision to restrict access to the White House for journalists working with CNN, MS NOW and Politico.

In a court filing ahead of a scheduled hearing, the department argued that the president has authority to control journalists’ access to restricted areas of the presidential complex, including locations such as the Oval Office.

The Justice Department said access to the White House is a privilege rather than a right automatically guaranteed to members of the press.

The filing comes after Trump ordered the three news organisations barred from the White House following criticism of their reporting.

The administration has accused the outlets of publishing what it considers false or sensitive information. The Justice Department said letters explaining the reasons for the restrictions had been sent to the organisations and that they had been given an opportunity to challenge the decision.

The dispute has now moved into federal court.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a lawsuit seeking restoration of their access. The organisations argue that the restrictions violate constitutional protections for freedom of the press.

The outlets have also challenged the process used to remove their access credentials.

According to the Justice Department, the administration considers national security and standards for professional conduct among the reasons supporting the restrictions. The department said the president has constitutional authority over sensitive national-security information.

The case places presidential control over access to the White House against arguments concerning press freedom and journalists’ ability to report from the seat of the US government.

The dispute has also attracted attention because access to the White House allows reporters to cover presidential activities, briefings and government decisions directly.

The Justice Department’s position does not settle the legal dispute. A federal judge is expected to consider arguments from both the administration and the affected media organisations.

The White House restrictions have already prompted a broader debate about how presidential administrations should manage press access.

The legal proceedings could determine whether the current restrictions remain in place while the wider case continues.

Trump has previously clashed with major media organisations over access and coverage during both his presidential terms.