(MENAFN) The Pentagon has introduced a newly restructured press corps largely composed of conservative and independent media outlets following the withdrawal of several mainstream organizations over new access rules.

The change comes after reporters from major outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, The Washington Post, and the Associated Press returned their press credentials, protesting a revised media policy implemented by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

According to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, more than 60 journalists from “a broad spectrum of new media outlets and independent journalists” have joined the Pentagon’s “next generation” press corps. They will work alongside 26 reporters who chose to stay under the new policy.

The updated rules allow officials to revoke credentials from any reporter deemed a “security or safety risk” for contacting Pentagon employees about sensitive matters. Hegseth defended the change, saying it ensures that the “press no longer roams free,” requires visible identification badges, and prevents journalists from “soliciting criminal acts.”

The new roster includes right-leaning platforms such as The Gateway Pundit, National Pulse, Human Events, Timcast, Just the News, Washington Reporter, LindellTV, and Frontlines by Turning Point USA.

Parnell criticized legacy outlets for refusing to comply, saying the “self-righteous media… chose to self-deport from the Pentagon.” He argued that Americans have “abandoned digesting their news through the lens of activists who masquerade as journalists.”

In response, The Washington Post said the policy “undercuts First Amendment protections” by restricting press freedom, while The New York Times accused the Pentagon of punishing reporters for ordinary newsgathering.

MENAFN23102025000045017640ID1110238105