Epoch Times Reporter Resigns Over Pentagon Press Restrictions and Growing Partisan Bias

Strategic Insights -

A national security reporter at the right-wing Epoch Times newspaper has resigned after the publication signed on to rules restricting news gathering within the Pentagon. Reporter Andrew Thornebrooke submitted his resignation in writing on Friday, criticizing the paper's increasing willingness to promote partisan materials, publish demonstrably false information, and manipulate the reporting of its ground staff. Thornebrooke cited a recent editorial directive to refer to antifa, the far-left ideological movement, as a terrorist organization, despite there being no designation for domestic terrorism under existing U.S. law. The Epoch Times is one of only three U.S.-based outlets to sign the 21-page pledge, alongside the conservative cable network One America News Network and the digital outlet The Federalist.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Epoch Times signed a 21-page pledge restricting news gathering within the Pentagon, alongside One America News Network and The Federalist, despite over two dozen other print and television news outlets refusing to sign.
  • The pledge limits areas within the Pentagon where journalists are permitted without an escort and states that reporters face losing their credentials if they solicit government employees to leak unauthorized information.
  • The Epoch Times has no reporters with a Pentagon press pass, despite having another reporter covering national security issues.
  • Reporter Andrew Thornebrooke resigned in writing on Friday, criticizing the paper's increasing partisan bias and manipulation of reporting.
  • Thornebrooke cited a recent editorial directive to refer to antifa as a terrorist organization, despite there being no designation for domestic terrorism under existing U.S. law.
  • The Epoch Times's editor in chief, Jasper Fakkert, defended the Pentagon's new media rules, stating that being able to report from within the Pentagon is a "huge privilege."
  • The paper has several other reporters who cover national security issues, including one with a Pentagon press pass.
  • Thornebrooke said instances of accurate information being taken out of his stories and replaced with false info occurred frequently, with the goal of casting the Trump administration in the most positive light possible.
  • Reporters are not consulted on major coverage decisions in advance, including the paper's decision to sign the Pentagon's new reporting rules.
  • The Epoch Times was founded in China and is closely linked to the Falun Gong religious movement, which was also founded in China.

Statistics:

  • The Epoch Times is one of only three U.S.-based outlets to sign the 21-page pledge with the Pentagon.
  • Over two dozen other print and television news outlets refused to sign the pledge, stating it would prevent them from informing the public and was a threat to their First Amendment protections.
  • The pledge was first distributed to news outlets late last month.
  • The Epoch Times has been linked to the Falun Gong religious movement, which was founded in China.
  • The paper's chief financial officer was indicted by the Justice Department last year for laundering at least $67 million through company accounts.
  • The Epoch Times's editor in chief, Jasper Fakkert, defended the Pentagon's new media rules, stating that being able to report from within the Pentagon is a "huge privilege."

Sources:

  • The New York Times
  • The Epoch Times
  • Epoch Times email correspondence with Andrew Thornebrooke
  • The Epoch Times's editor in chief, Jasper Fakkert's statement published on the outlet's website
  • The Washington Post