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Conservatism

Pentagon Announces New "New Media" Press Corps, Challenging Traditional Journalism

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The US Defense Department has formed a new press corps, composed of 60 individuals from right-wing outlets and independent journalists, in a bid to circumvent the "lies of the mainstream media." The move was announced after a group of Pentagon journalists refused to sign a new restrictive press policy, which blocks journalists from soliciting unclassified information not authorized for release. The new press corps includes outlets like Real America's Voice, Lindell TV, and the Gateway Pundit, which have been criticized for promoting conspiracy theories.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new press corps includes 60 individuals from right-wing outlets and independent journalists, including Real America's Voice, Lindell TV, and the Gateway Pundit.
  • The Defense Department's new policy blocks journalists from soliciting unclassified information not authorized for release, a significant shift in press outreach from the organization.
  • The move has sparked controversy, with traditional media outlets like Fox News, ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN declining to sign the policy.
  • Other conservative outlets like Newsmax, the Washington Times, and the Washington Examiner have also refused to sign the policy.
  • The Pentagon has declined to provide a full list of signatories, though outlets like Timcast, the National Pulse, and the Washington Reporter have confirmed their participation.
  • The new press corps is seen as a challenge to traditional journalism, with some outlets having trafficked in conspiracy theories.

Statistics:

  • 60 individuals from right-wing outlets and independent journalists have signed the Defense Department's new press policy.
  • 15 people had signed the policy as of October 16, the day after the walkout.
  • The Gateway Pundit had 25 million visits in August to its website, while RedState had fewer than 10 million visits.
  • The New York Times had nearly 600 million visits in August.
  • gateway Pundit has a history of promoting conspiracy theories and has been at the center of several high-profile defamation lawsuits.

Sources:

  • Drew Harwell and Scott Nover, "Pentagon Announces New 'New Media' Press Corps, Mostly Right-Wing Outlets" (The Washington Post)
  • Eric Felten, "The Pentagon's 'New Media' Strategy: A Bluff?" (The Washington Examiner)
  • Pete Hegseth, "It's Time for a New Media Strategy" (CNN)

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