Pentagon names new press corps from far-right outlets after reporter walkout | US military
Following the recent departure of Pentagon correspondents over their refusal to accept a new set of restrictive policies, the defense department announced a “next-generation Pentagon press corps” that includes 60 journalists from far-right outlets, many of whom promote conspiracy theories.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell shared the following: X related news but did not give any names.
Washington Posthowever, he obtained a draft announcement stating that the new reporters agreeing to the department’s new policies came from channels such as Lindell TV, which was started by Trump ally Mike Lindell; Gateway Expert; Post Millennium; Human Events; and National Pulse.
According to the Post, the list also includes Turning Point USA’s media brand Frontlines, Timcast from phenomenon Tim Pool, and Substack-based newsletter Washington Reporter.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to the Guardian’s request for a list of journalists.
Parnell described the group as “a broad spectrum of new media organizations and independent journalists.”
“New media organizations and independent journalists have created the formula to bypass the lies of the mainstream media and deliver real news directly to the American people,” Parnell wrote. “Collectively, their reach and influence is far more effective and balanced than the complacent media that has chosen to exile itself from the Pentagon.”
The new press corps includes right-wing outlets that promote conspiracy theories. For example, Gateway Pundit spread misinformation about the 2020 election and then filed a defamation lawsuit with two Georgia election workers, falsely accusing them of malfeasance and admitting there was no fraud in the election.
Similarly, Lindell rejected the election results and was ordered to pay $2.3 million to an employee of a voting machine company who sued him for defamation.
Pool, a conservative podcast host, was among the influencers allegedly linked to a US content creation company that was provided nearly $10 million from Russian state media workers to publish videos containing messages favorable to Moscow’s interests and agenda.
Pool said they were “deceived and victimized.”
Journalists who surrendered their press credentials earlier this month did so after defense secretary Pete Hegseth introduced a policy requiring them to agree not to take unauthorized material unless accompanied by an official and to restrict access to certain areas.
Reporters from outlets such as the Washington Post, New York Times, and Atlantic, as well as right-wing outlets Fox News and Newsmaxall refused to sign the new rules.
“We believe the requirements are unnecessary and burdensome and hope the Pentagon will investigate the matter further,” Newsmax said. he told the Times journalist Erik Wemple.
The Guardian also refused to sign the revised Pentagon press pass policy because it placed unacceptable restrictions on activities protected by the First Amendment.
At the White House press conference, Pool, a member of the Pentagon’s new press group, asked Karoline Leavitt to comment on the mainstream media and their “unprofessional behavior and detailed statements.” [on] “Are there any plans to expand access to new companies?”
a defense ministry spokesman said on an episode of the right-wing television channel Real America’s Voice that aired Wednesday. Kingsley Wilson thanked to the show’s host, Jack Posobiec, for joining the press group.
Wilson misrepresented the policies that caused journalists to leave the Pentagon. He did not mention that it included a requirement that they not obtain material without permission.
“They walked out because they refused to sign a simple agreement. It was common sense. It said wear a visible press badge. Don’t go into secret areas, stay in the correspondence corridor and follow the rules of the building,” Wilson said.
“It was their right, but it was also their loss, because now incredible journalists like you will be here at the Pentagon and reporting on what the War Department is doing every day,” Wilson said. “This is truly the next generation of journalism at the Pentagon.”
