The U.S. Department of Defense, under Secretary Pete Hegseth, has implemented a restrictive new press policy that requires journalists to acknowledge in writing that soliciting unauthorized information from Defense Department personnel—classified or unclassified—could be considered a security threat. The policy bars reporters from freely accessing large areas of the Pentagon without an escort and mandates that all information shared with the media must be approved by an authorized official before release, even if unclassified.
Major news organizations, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Reuters, The Associated Press, Fox News, ABC, CBS, NBC, Newsmax, and Axios, have refused to sign the agreement, arguing it undermines press freedom and violates First Amendment protections. The Pentagon Press Association condemned the policy as an unprecedented act of intimidation that could stifle independent reporting and expose journalists to potential prosecution. As of October 15, dozens of journalists vacated their workspaces and returned credentials after declining to comply with the new rules.
Although the Pentagon revised the initial proposal—removing requirements for journalists to submit writings for pre-approval—it still threatens to revoke press credentials for those who solicit nonpublic information. The policy asserts that encouraging disclosures of unauthorized information may constitute solicitation of criminal acts, which is not protected by the First Amendment.
Despite widespread media opposition, only One America News Network had agreed to the terms as of mid-October. However, on October 22, the Pentagon announced that more than 60 journalists, including 26 from 18 outlets previously part of the press corps, have now signed the policy, forming what it calls the “next generation of the Pentagon press corps”.
President Donald Trump and Hegseth have defended the restrictions as necessary for national security, with Trump calling the press “very dishonest” and supportive of measures to limit media influence within the military. Hegseth dismissed criticism with social media posts featuring a waving emoji, stating, “Pentagon access is a privilege, not a right”. Critics, including former Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot, have likened the policy to “Soviet-style restrictions”.
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