Pentagon reporters are voicing their grievances with the decreased access to Defense Secretary James Mattis, Politico reports. Since Mattis took reign of the Department reporters say they have encountered a reduction in journalists allowed to travel on official trips, as well as an unusual less transparency and public accountability.
Since Mattis took reign of the Department reporters say they have encountered a reduction in journalists allowed to travel on official trips, as well as an unusual less transparency and public accountability.
• Their complaints
Interviews with a number of Pentagon reporters who pleaded anonymity for fear of further loss of access revealed their complaints.
One of the reporters who had also covered the department throughout the Obama administration said, “This is the worst relationship I’ve seen”.
All three wire services — The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse enjoyed unhindered covering of each trip made by the Defense Secretary but this has declined with time under Mattis.
• Officials response
However, an administration official said Mattis appears to be becoming increasingly wary of the press. “There is a growing perception by Secretary Mattis that the media is trying to pit him against the president and deliberately misinterpret the things that he says,” the official said.
The example cited by the official for his assertion was the recent tweet by President Donald Trump in which the President wrote that, “The U.S. has been talking to North Korea, and paying them extortion money, for 25 years. Talking is not the answer!” and followed by Mattis response of “We are never out of diplomatic solutions.”
The media widely portrayed the Secretary’s response as a conflict with the president’s stance, forcing Mattis to later clarify his words by saying, “Diplomatic can include economic sanctions, not just talking. It didn’t contradict anything the president said.”
The height of the reporters’ grievances was when some journalists were disinvited from a trip to the Middle East, just days before their planned departure. The incident sparked outrage among the press corps, leading to a meeting between Pentagon Press Association and Pentagon Press Secretary, Dana White with her staffs. The association used the avenue to air several grievances and issues bordering the Press men and women covering the Pentagon.
• Dana White’s defense
White, however, said, “I think that there is always a natural tension between us, but I think there are some really great reporters here. They have unfettered access to our 25 press officers. We’ve had 118 press engagements with transcripts. They have unfettered access to me. I get phone calls all the time and emails. I think it’s a very healthy, good relationship.”
