The Pentagon has issued a new directive that mandates credentialed journalists accessing military headquarters to sign a pledge agreeing to not report on any unapproved information, even if it is unclassified. This policy, laid out in a 17-page memo, escalates media restrictions reminiscent of those implemented during the Trump administration.
According to the directive, any information intended for public release must first be approved by an appropriate official. Failure to comply could result in revocation of reporting credentials. National Press Club President Mike Balsamo expressed profound concerns, stating, If the news about our military must first be approved by the government, then the public is no longer getting independent reporting. That should alarm every American.
Defense Secretary Highlights New Restrictions
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, took to social media to underscore the changes, asserting, The 'press' does not run the Pentagon — the people do. The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility. Wear a badge and follow the rules — or go home. This year, the Pentagon has already expelled various news organizations and imposed strict limitations on press access to certain areas.
Critics Warn of Government Censorship
The Society of Professional Journalists condemned the new rules as alarming, highlighting that such policies signify a breach of First Amendment rights by enacting prior restraint on news reporting. Executive editor of The Washington Post, Matt Murray, emphasized that the public's right to comprehensive reporting on government activities is a cornerstone of democracy that should not be compromised. The broad implications of this directive raise significant questions about the balance between national security and the public's right to know.
