Shift in Pentagon Press Corps Composition Sparks Concerns Over Journalism Freedom
TL/DR –
Pentagon press conferences, once attended by leading US journalists, are now primarily featuring rightwing activists after traditional media refused to sign a restrictive Pentagon document. The document’s conditions included agreeing to limits on journalists entering certain areas of the Pentagon and pledging not to obtain unauthorized material. Critics argue this policy is a violation of the first amendment right to free speech and have raised concerns that the new press corps, comprising mostly of rightwing media, is ill-equipped to properly scrutinize the Pentagon.
The prestigious role of a Pentagon press corps member, once reserved for top reporters from reputable US news outlets, has changed. A recent Pentagon press conference, amidst scandals, was populated by rightwing activists, including Donald Trump‘s close ally and employees from Turning Point USA and a fledgling media company backed by a pillow salesman.
In October, most reporters from traditional media companies relinquished their Pentagon press passes rather than agreeing to a 21-page Pentagon document restricting journalistic activities. This resulted in the Pentagon issuing passes to numerous rightwing media entities and personalities, such as Laura Loomer, a self-proclaimed “proud Islamophobe”, LindellTV, a streaming channel launched by conspiracy theorist and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, and Matt Gaetz, a former congressman now a host at One America News Network.
The absence of well-established media figures to scrutinize the Pentagon comes at a critical time. The Pentagon, immersed in controversy, needs in-depth journalism to probe its actions. Instead, it’s being covered by partisan commentators and outlets that have agreed to the Pentagon’s restrictive press policy.
A recent independent report exposed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth endangered operational security by using chat app Signal for discussing operation specifics. Additionally, the Pentagon continues to answer questions about a double strike conducted on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean.
The predominantly rightwing press corps now at the Pentagon appears ill-equipped to question the government and demand accountability. Journalism professor, Carole-Anne Morris, expressed concerns about the severely limited access to the secretive Pentagon and questioned the credibility of outlets adhering to its new press policy.
On Thursday, the New York Times sued the Pentagon and Hegseth, alleging that the ban infringes journalists’ ability to question government employees and gather information. Authorities are being cautioned that the ban might violate the first amendment right to free speech.
Gregg Leslie, Executive Director of the First Amendment Clinic, condemned the restrictions, calling them an outright breach of the first amendment. Pentagon, under criticism, released a report about the ‘new media’ making up its press corps, claiming it to be capable of informing a broader American audience.
Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson stated that the Pentagon aims to reach as many Americans as possible with this predominantly rightwing press corps.
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