Media groups have reacted angrily after several, including the BBC, were barred from an informal briefing with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer.

The excluded New York Times said the move was “an unmistakable insult to democratic ideals”, reports the BBC.

The bar came hours after President Donald Trump delivered another attack on the media, saying that “fake news” was the “enemy of the people”.

The BBC has asked the White House to clarify its exclusion.

BBC bureau chief in Washington, Paul Danahar, said: “We understand that there may be occasions when, due to space or circumstances, the White House restricts press events to the established pool. However, what happened today did not fit into that pattern.”

He added: “Our reporting will remain fair and impartial, regardless.”

Earlier, The BBC, CNN, the New York Times, the Guardian, the Los Angeles Times, Buzzfeed, the Daily Mail and Politico were excluded from participating in a press briefing at White House.

Those allowed into the room included ABC, Fox News, Breitbart News, Reuters and the Washington Times.

The Associated Press, USA Today and Time magazine refused to attend as a protest against the move.

BDST: 1945 HRS, FEB 25, 2017
SR