Pentagon restricts press movement within the Pentagon, requires them to take new ‘pledge’.
By Iain McLean
The Pentagon issued a 17-page briefing last week, which can be found via The New York Times here. In short, it restricts journalists movements to pre-approved sections of the Pentagon, which is a stark change to the freedom they had before.
More concerning however, is its new protocols for reporters within the Pentagon, changing the access they have to information.
It outlines new protocols for gathering information on page three. Stating “DoW information must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorizing official”. This gives the Pentagon and Secretary Hegseth complete control on what information leaves the building. Unless you have “favorable determinations of eligibility of access” you do not have access to information freely. This is expanded upon with the briefing stating if you meet the criteria for “eligibility of access” and sign a non-disclosure agreement, you may have full access to information others do not.
Reporters who do not sign this new agreement with the Pentagon will lose their access to the building entirely.
In light of the briefing becoming public, Secretary Hegseth released a statement on X which read “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.”
The National Press Club President, Mike Balsamo, released a statement following the issuing of the new guidelines. It read, “The Pentagon is now demanding that journalists sign a pledge not to obtain or report any information — even if unclassified — unless it has been expressly authorized by the government. This is a direct assault on independent journalism at the very place where independent scrutiny matters most: the U.S. military.”
He then went on to demand that the Pentagon rescind these new guidelines immediately stating, “Independent reporting on the military is essential to democracy. It is what allows citizens to hold leaders accountable and ensures that decisions of war and peace are made in the light of day.”
This briefing comes soon after President Trump made remarks about TV licenses on Air Force One. He insinuated that those broadcasters critical of his Presidency should lose their license. “They give me only bad publicity, the press. I mean they’re getting a license, maybe their license should be taken away,” he said when questioned by reporters as he returned from his UK trip. This is an echo of what happened to Jimmy Kimmel after he raised questions about the coverage of the Charlie Kirk shooting.