Last Updated on February 10, 2025
Establishment news outlets are fuming after it was announced that they’ll have to temporarily give up their access to Pentagon office spaces, to share with smaller news organizations.
In a bold new initiative, the Pentagon is set to implement a rotation program for press outlets in its “Correspondents’ Corridor.” The program, which will take effect on February 14, will offer new opportunities for smaller media outlets to gain a presence in the Pentagon, while temporarily sidelining long-established media organizations.
As part of this change, four prominent mainstream media organizations—NBC News, the New York Times, National Public Radio, and Politico—will be required to vacate their designated office spaces for one year. Under the program, One America News Network will take over the TV booth currently occupied by NBC News, while Breitbart will replace NPR’s radio space. The New York Post will also be granted access to the workspace currently held by The New York Times. Additionally, Politico’s space will be replaced by HuffPost, a progressive outlet that has been critical of President Trump.
By Friday, February 15, 2025, the four large media companies must have vacated those offices.
This move is in line with the administration’s push to challenge entrenched media norms and provide greater access to smaller and independent media outlets. Last Friday, Pentagon spokesperson Jonathan Ullyot released a memo explaining that the annual rotation plan is designed to broaden access to the limited workspace in the Pentagon, making room for outlets that haven’t had the chance to establish a physical presence.
Ullyot emphasized that the media outlets being moved from their physical spaces will remain full members of the Pentagon Press Corps and continue to have access to briefings, events, and other Pentagon resources. The only change will be the rotation of physical workspace, allowing different media outlets the opportunity to experience direct access.
Supporters of the change argue that this program encourages fresh perspectives and challenges the longstanding media hierarchy in Washington. The decision to rotate spaces also creates a symbolic opportunity to ensure that a broader spectrum of perspectives is represented in covering the Defense Department.
Critics argue that the rotation may disadvantage certain outlets that have built longstanding relationships with the Pentagon, while elevating smaller media organizations like One America News and Breitbart, both of which have demonstrated strong support for President Trump’s policies.
In a statement to Newsweek, NPR expressed their frustration surrounding the new format:
More than 40 million Americans depend on NPR for daily news about their communities and the world. This decision interferes with the ability of millions of Americans to directly hear from Pentagon leadership, and with NPR’s public interest mission to serve Americans who turn to our network of local public media stations in all 50 states.
The New York times also provided comment, seeing their lack of special privileges as the administration’s fear of “fact-based” reporting:
This move to expel The Times and other independent, fact-based news outlets from the Pentagon’s press spaces is a concerning development. The Department of Defense has the largest discretionary budget in the government, millions of Americans in uniform under its direction and control of a vast arsenal funded by taxpayers. The Times is committed to covering the Pentagon fully and fairly. Steps designed to impede access are clearly not in the public interest.”
Despite these complaints, the Pentagon insists that the rotation system is a fair and transparent process that is in the best interest of ensuring diversity in the media landscape covering defense issues.
This move is in line with broader changes being made by the White House. Following President Trump’s announcement to expand media access, the White House is also implementing new policies to allow more media outlets to apply for access to press briefings. Additionally, it will reverse the revocation of approximately 400 White House press passes under the Biden administration.
During a recent press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the Trump White House is committed to reaching a broader audience by engaging with all media outlets, not just the establishment ones.
“The Trump White House will speak to all media outlets and personalities, not just the legacy media who are seated in this room, because according to recent polling from Gallup, Americans’ trust in mass media has fallen to a record low. Millions of Americans, especially young people, have turned from traditional television outlets and newspapers to consume their news from podcasts, blogs, social media, and other independent outlets,” she said in last Wednesday’s briefing to the press.
