State Department halts 'non-critical' news subscriptions globally
The U.S. Department of State has ordered American embassies and consulates to cancel all newspaper subscriptions considered "non-critical to the mission."
The Washington Post reported that the directive includes canceling subscriptions to news services and media deemed "non-critical to the mission."
Embassies and consulates received an email explaining the decision as a cost-cutting measure. "Posts are asked to immediately place Stop Work Orders on all non-mission critical contracts/purchase orders for media subscriptions (publications, periodicals, and newspaper subscriptions) that are not academic or professional journals."
A memo issued on Friday instructed procurement teams in embassies and consulates to prioritize terminating contracts with six editorial offices: The Economist, The New York Times, Politico, Bloomberg News, Associated Press, and Reuters.
Employees concerned
One State Department employee contacted an American newspaper and expressed concern that this move would deprive embassies and consulates of essential information to fulfill their mission. "This will endanger American lives overseas because we are being cut off from news sources that are needed on a daily basis," they said.
A week before the order, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the government would cancel subscription contracts with Politico. The publication has been criticized by Trump's allies, including Elon Musk, after users on platform X highlighted government contracts for Politico Pro subscriptions.
The Trump administration also targeted the Associated Press due to the agency's decision to continue using the term "Gulf of Mexico" instead of "American Gulf." AP journalists have been banned from attending White House events since February 11 and are barred from traveling with the president on Air Force One.
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