The Pentagon just did something that has Washington buzzing, and it could seriously shake up how Americans get their news about the military.
On Tuesday, the Department of Defense announced it was forming a new “press corps”.
It’s made up of more than 60 journalists from newer, mostly conservative outlets like The Gateway Pundit, The Post Millennial, The National Pulse, and RedState.
Meanwhile, many of the old-school newsrooms – The New York Times, CNN, Reuters, and others – said no thanks to the new rules and walked away.
According to Reuters, several journalists even packed up their Pentagon office space after refusing to sign the new access agreement.
A New Kind of Press Access
Under the new policy, reporters who want to cover the Pentagon must agree not to ask for or accept any “unapproved” materials, even if those materials aren’t classified.
The Defense Department says the rule is meant to protect sensitive information and maintain security.
Critics see it differently.
The Washington Post reported that many mainstream outlets believe the restrictions go too far and could chill independent reporting.
But supporters see it as a long-overdue correction to years of bias.
For decades, conservatives have complained that the Pentagon, like most of Washington, only gave access to big-name legacy outlets that lean left.
Now, for the first time, those same conservative voices will be inside the room asking questions.
How This Move Levels the Playing Field
For many on the right, this is about fairness and balance.
The legacy media has dominated political and defense coverage for decades.
Opening the door to new outlets feels like a win for free speech and diversity of thought.
That kind of sentiment plays well across red states, those of us on the right in Nevada included.
Plenty of Nevadans who back the military and distrust mainstream outlets are glad to see fresh faces in the Pentagon briefing room.
It’s also worth noting that Nevada is home to several key military installations, including Nellis Air Force Base and the Nevada National Guard.
The stories coming out of this new press corps could directly affect local discussions about defense spending, veteran services, and national security priorities.
The Fine Print
Still, there’s a catch.
The new rules give the Pentagon more say over what information gets shared – even unclassified details.
That makes some conservatives uneasy – fairly so.
Defending freedom means defending the press too, and many on the right see a potential contradiction here: celebrating new access, but accepting tighter controls.
Even The Guardian, no friend to conservatives, pointed out the irony: right-leaning outlets are gaining access, but possibly at the cost of their independence.
What Happens Next
Time will tell how this plays out.
Will these new outlets ask tough questions and deliver real reporting?
Or will this experiment just swap one echo chamber for another?
Watch which stories come out of the new Pentagon press briefings – and which ones don’t.
If local outlets in Nevada start citing reports from RedState or The Post Millennial, that’ll be a sign this shake-up is already changing how the public gets defense news.
It seems the days of the Pentagon press room being dominated by a handful of left-leaning networks are over.
Whether that leads to more truth or just a different kind of filter – that’s the next battle.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
