Key Takeaways:

• The U.S. Defense Department has doubled the number of news organizations evicted from their Pentagon workspaces.
• CNN, The Washington Post, The Hill, and The War Zone are among the latest outlets to be rotated out in favor of conservative media.
• The Pentagon Press Association has criticized this decision, claiming it harms journalistic access.
• Notable replacements include Newsmax, the Washington Examiner, the Daily Caller, and One America News Network.
• The changes come as the Trump administration faces backlash for its handling of media relations.

In a significant move that has raised eyebrows and triggered backlash, the Pentagon announced that it is expanding its controversial media rotation policy. This decision will force CNN, The Washington Post, The Hill, and The War Zone out of their established workspaces at the Pentagon, making way for smaller, often pro-Trump outlets. This announcement follows a prior eviction of major news organizations like NBC News, NPR, The New York Times, and Politico, which the Department of Defense described as part of a new annual "media rotation program."

The memo issued by Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot states that the aim is to provide opportunities for other media organizations to cover the military closely. However, many in the journalism community have criticized the rationale behind this move. Veteran media professionals emphasize the long-standing relationships built through having a permanent presence at the Pentagon, which benefits both reporters and the public. According to the Reuters, the Pentagon Press Association voiced their disapproval, stating they were "shocked and deeply disappointed" by the decision to evict additional outlets.

The changing landscape within the Pentagon also reflects the Trump administration’s ongoing strained relationship with several prominent news outlets. The incoming outlets, which include Newsmax, the Washington Examiner, Daily Caller, and One America News Network, are known for their favorable coverage of the administration. In contrast, outlets such as The Washington Post and CNN, historically critical of the administration, face mounting barriers to conducting full-scale operations.

Despite the eviction from physical office space, representatives from the ousted outlets have stated their commitment to continue coverage of the Department of Defense and U.S. military operations. CNN reaffirmed its mission of accountability, aiming to deliver substantive journalism regardless of their workspace situation. However, without easy access to military officials and swiftly actionable reporting capabilities, the challenge remains for these selected news organizations, underscoring concerns about maintaining a free and fair press in the face of increasing governmental control over media access.

For further information, read the full articles from AP, The Daily Beast, CNN, HuffPost, and Reuters.