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Pentagon Implements Media Rotation Program for Office Space
The Pentagon has announced a new annual rotation policy for media outlets that will shift access to physical office spaces within its premises. This policy affects well-known organizations such as NBC News, the New York Times, and National Public Radio, requiring them to relinquish their offices to allow other media entities, including Breitbart News, the New York Post, and One America News Network, to have their turn.
This directive was communicated through a broad memo issued by the Department of Defense, now overseen by Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host. Alongside the changes, Politico will also be vacating its established workspace at the Pentagon.
The affected media outlets were alerted to this decision via a memo that did not include individualized notifications or extensive explanations. The rotation begins in two weeks, following Hegseth’s recent confirmation by the Senate, which passed by a narrow margin.
According to the memo from Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot, “For over a half-century, the Pentagon Press Corps has benefited from working out of individual office spaces that provide coveted and open access to some of the Department’s top military and civilian leaders.” This change marks a significant adjustment in how media organizations interact with the Pentagon.
NBC News expressed disappointment over the removal from the broadcasting booth they have utilized for decades, emphasizing the hindrances this decision presents to their capacity to report news. They stated, “Despite the significant obstacles this presents to our ability to gather and report news in the national public interest, we will continue to report with the same integrity and rigor NBC News always has.”
The newly rotating media organizations set to take over the spaces include One America News Network, the New York Post, Breitbart News Network, and HuffPost. This transition reflects a shift in the media landscape at the Pentagon, raising questions about the implications for news coverage coming from one of the nation’s most critical defense hubs.
Source
www.thewrap.com