The Pentagon has introduced new policies requiring credentialed journalists to sign a pledge affirming they will not report on unauthorized information, including unclassified data. This directive, outlined in a recently distributed 17-page memo, threatens journalists who do not comply with the potential loss of their press credentials.
Information must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorizing official before it is released, even if it is unclassified, states the memo. This change comes as part of increased media restrictions under the Trump administration, raising alarms among advocates for press freedom.
Critics argue this move undermines independent journalism. National Press Club President Mike Balsamo expressed concern, stating, If the news about our military must first be approved by the government, then the public is no longer getting independent reporting. It is getting only what officials want them to see. That should alarm every American.
Highlighting the new rules on social media, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that the press does not dictate the flow of information at the Pentagon. The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility; wear a badge and follow the rules — or go home, he stated.
In recent months, the Pentagon has tightened its grip on news access, even evicting several media organizations and restricting areas reporters can enter without government escorts. Areas previously accessible to journalists are now off-limits, raising concerns about transparency.
In response to these developments, the Society of Professional Journalists condemned the Pentagon's policy as a significant violation of press freedom, describing it as a form of censorship wrapped in security concerns. This sentiment was echoed by Matt Murray, executive editor of The Washington Post, who asserted that attempts to control government messaging run counter to the constitutional rights of the public.
