The reporter who joined, who goes by the name R.C. Maxwell, said: “A reporter’s burden isn’t to undermine or delegitimize the subjects they cover, but to report the truth to the people. The next generation is here.”
Tim Pool, a podcaster who gained prominence by livestreaming the Occupy Wall Street protests in 2011, said a correspondent for his online channel and podcast Timcast, who is ordinarily based at the White House, would attend Pentagon briefings as part of the new press corps.
“We aim to conduct podcast interviews whenever possible but do not intend to maintain a significant presence at the Pentagon or engage in in-depth investigative reporting, as specialised outlets do,” Pool said on X.
“Should a major story unexpectedly come our way that conflicts with press policies, we will prioritise the public’s right to know and transparency. However, as we are not investigative reporters, we do not anticipate frequently encountering such situations and respect those dedicated to uncovering information of vital public interest.”
The influx of conservative YouTubers, podcasters and bloggers accelerates a process that is also under way at the White House, where representatives of Trump-supporting outlets such as Real America’s Voice and LindellTV have regular access to the president as part of the White House press pool.
‘New media’ focus
Earlier in the year, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the building was being opened up to “new media” who had been excluded for years by an entrenched system run by the legacy media through the White House Correspondents’ Association.
Members of the Pentagon press corp carry their belongings out of the Pentagon after handing in their press credentials.Credit: AP
A vast array of non-traditional media forms has flourished in the US, particularly on the right, as consumers increasingly turn away from mainstream news and seek out voices that correspond with their political views.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said more than 60 people had signed up to the new policy, “representing a broad spectrum of new media outlets and independent journalists”. That included 26 journalists across 18 outlets who were part of the former Pentagon press corps and chose to continue, he said.
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“New media outlets and independent journalists have created the formula to circumvent the lies of the mainstream media and get real news directly to the American people,” Parnell said.
“Their reach and impact collectively are far more effective and balanced than the self-righteous media who chose to self-deport from the Pentagon. Americans have largely abandoned digesting their news through the lens of activists who masquerade as journalists in the mainstream media. We look forward to beginning a fresh relationship with members of the new Pentagon press corps.”
