The Rise of Right-Wing ‘New Media’
▼ Summary
– House Republicans held a press briefing restricted to “new media,” which now refers to right-wing outlets, bypassing mainstream press.
– The Trump administration previously used “new media” designations to give conservative creators access while excluding traditional media.
– Defense Secretary Hegseth replaced legacy Pentagon reporters with right-wing outlets and imposed rules restricting unauthorized reporting.
– Bari Weiss’s appointment to lead CBS News is seen as a “glass cliff” situation due to her lack of TV experience and qualifications.
– The acquisition of The Free Press by Paramount creates a contradiction, as its anti-corporate identity conflicts with being part of a conglomerate.
In Washington’s political circles, the term “new media” has undergone a significant transformation, now serving as a coded label for conservative-aligned outlets and creators. Following a recent federal holiday, House Speaker Mike Johnson and top Republican leaders conducted an exclusive press briefing focused on the government shutdown, deliberately limiting access to what they classified as “new media” representatives. This closed-door session was subsequently reported as an exclusive scoop by the Washington Reporter, a Congress-focused publication launched by GOP operatives to serve as a conservative counterpart to Punchbowl News. The outlet framed the event as an effort to “set the record straight” and described it as the latest method for House Republicans to deliver their messaging directly to the American public, notably excluding mainstream press organizations from participation.
A decade earlier, “new media” typically referred to digital-native outlets like Huffington Post or BuzzFeed that published conventional journalism through online platforms. Today, within Republican power structures, the phrase functions as a polite euphemism for right-wing media entities. This broad category spans news organizations, independent creators, podcast hosts, live streamers, and even television broadcasters. The common denominator among 2025’s Washington “new media” appears to be alignment with MAGA perspectives and willingness to adhere to certain ideological commitments, such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s controversial pledge restricting Pentagon coverage.
The Trump administration first institutionalized this terminology, reserving a dedicated seat in the White House press briefing room specifically for “new media” representatives. This initiative invited applications from thousands of conservative content creators and outlets seeking access to official briefings. While expanding press access could be viewed as acknowledging digital media’s growing influence, the administration quickly followed with “Podcast Row,” creating exclusive interview opportunities for right-wing podcasters with Cabinet officials. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt explicitly positioned these moves as snubs to mainstream media, boasting in social media posts that the invited podcasters likely attracted “more views than CNN and legacy media.”
This preferential treatment extended throughout the administration. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem permitted MAGA-aligned streamer Benny Johnson to accompany her during a Portland ICE facility visit while keeping traditional press corps at a distance. Meanwhile, Secretary Hegseth initiated a Pentagon “rotation program” that displaced established defense reporters from their workspace, replacing them with representatives from One America News, the New York Post, and Breitbart. These actions evolved into stricter access limitations for accredited journalists and culminated in demands that Pentagon-based outlets agree to new rules prohibiting publication of unauthorized Defense Department information, or even inquiring about restricted topics.
While most news organizations, including conservative powerhouse Fox News, have protested these requirements, OAN has complied, solidifying its status as preferred “new media” despite operating as a traditional cable channel. This developing pattern suggests a future where MAGA-favored outlets enjoy privileged access while legacy media organizations face systematic exclusion.
Looking further ahead raises questions about what occurs when “new media” figures assume control of established institutions. Recent commentary has examined Bari Weiss’s transition from conservative commentator and Free Press editor to CBS News leadership following Paramount’s $150 million acquisition of her Substack-based publication. Some observers perceive this appointment as a “glass cliff” scenario, where a woman is placed in charge of a struggling organization with limited prospects for success.
Weiss’s background reveals no television news experience or traditional reporting credentials. Her publication, The Free Press, has operated within a carefully curated ideological ecosystem where factual accuracy matters less than maintaining a specific worldview. Transitioning from this insulated environment to leading a major broadcast network presents monumental challenges. Television journalism demands distinct skills, capturing compelling visuals, working within tight production schedules, and translating complex stories into engaging visual formats, that differ dramatically from print or digital writing.
The acquisition itself creates philosophical contradictions. The Free Press built its brand on positioning itself as an alternative to corporate media conglomerates, promising perspectives that mainstream outlets wouldn’t publish. Now operating within Paramount’s corporate structure, the publication must reconcile its anti-establishment positioning with becoming part of the establishment it previously criticized.
Management style presents additional complications. Early reports indicate Weiss has requested detailed memos from staff about daily activities, a move veteran journalists recognize as potential precursor to restructuring or layoffs. Effective leadership typically requires trusting experienced professionals to perform their roles without excessive micromanagement, particularly in large organizations like CBS News where decentralized decision-making is essential for operational efficiency.
The fundamental question remains whether ideological alignment can compensate for lack of institutional knowledge and industry experience. While Weiss might facilitate greater conservative representation on network television, transforming an aging broadcast institution requires more than political connections. Success would necessitate revitalizing flagship programs like 60 Minutes, reimagining evening news formats for contemporary audiences, and navigating the complex economics of television production where digital revenue streams rarely match traditional broadcast earnings.
This evolving media landscape continues to redefine relationships between political power, journalistic access, and institutional credibility, with consequences that will shape information ecosystems for years to come.
(Source: The Verge)
