Trump administration decides to withdraw four leading media outlets from the Pentagon

The administration of US President Donald Trump has decided to remove four major media outlets from their offices at the Pentagon, citing a new rotation program. Among the outlets that will be vacating their positions by February 14 are The New York Times, NBC News, National Public Radio (NPR) and Politico.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has decided to remove four leading media organizations from specially designated offices in the Pentagon. Among the publications that must leave their places by February 14 are – The New York Times, National Public Radio (NPR), NBC News and Politico.

About this writes Reuters.

As stated in the official memo, the Pentagon is introducing «New Annual Media Rotation Program», which provides for the release of space for other publications. Their workplaces will be occupied by the New York Post, One America News Network, Breitbart News Network and HuffPost News. In the future, it is planned to rotate one publication from each media format – print media, online publications, television and radio.

The decision has raised concerns among journalists who believe it could curtail press freedom and affect independent coverage of U.S. military activities.

«We are disappointed by the decision to deprive us of access to the Pentagon broadcast booth that we have used for many decades», – said a spokesperson for NBC News.

The Pentagon Press Association, which represents the media community, expressed concern, calling the move an “unprecedented precedent” that could affect the professional work of the media in covering the activities of the Department of Defense.

The Pentagon employs more than two dozen media organizations, including Reuters, that cover the daily activities of the US military.

«For the avoidance of doubt, publications that vacate office space provided to them by the Secretary of Defense will remain full members of the Pentagon Press Corps. The only change is that they will lose their physical offices in the building so that new outlets can become permanent members of the Pentagon Press Corps,” said John Ulliot, acting assistant secretary of defense for public affairs. Although the outlets that lost their offices remain members of the Pentagon Press Corps, journalists say a physical presence at the Pentagon is essential for getting information quickly.