US EditionJournalists turn in access badges, exit Pentagon rather than agree to new reporting rules
Dozens of Pentagon reporters rejected new rules requiring prior approval for classified info and returned badges in a near-unanimous protest against press freedom limits.
- Dozens of journalists returned their press access badges at the Pentagon in protest of new reporting rules set by the Department of War on October 15, 2025.
- Nearly all major media organizations, including The New York Times and CNN, expressed opposition to the new rules, citing concerns over potential restrictions on reporting and exposing journalists to prosecution.
- The Pentagon claims the rules are in the best interest of national security, while journalists argue that they limit their ability to report freely.
- Media outlets like the Washington Post and CNN criticized the revised credentialing policy for potentially restricting their reporting.
176 Articles
176 Articles
Fox News, Newsmax among journalists to turn in access badges, exit Pentagon rather than agree to new reporting rules
Dozens of reporters turned in access badges and exited the Pentagon on Wednesday rather than agree to government-imposed restrictions on their work, pushing journalists who cover the American military further from the seat of its power. The nation’s leadership called the new rules “common sense” to help regulate a “very disruptive” press.
In protest against the Pentagon's new rules, almost all journalists have left their offices in the US Department of Defense, according to the overseas media. ...
Top U.S. Media Reject New Pentagon Press Restrictions Pushed By Hegseth
The Department of Defense has introduced a new press policy requiring the Pentagon to authorize any reporting on itself. Top TV news outlets have rejected the pledge; only the far-right outlet One America News has agreed to sign on. Dozens of reporters with the Pentagon Press Association turned in their government-issued press badges and left the building Wednesday rather than agree to the rules. “The Trump administration has made the suppressio…
Why Is Pete Hegseth Afraid of the Press?
Over 100 Pentagon reporters cleaned out their workspaces and turned in their press credentials this week, refusing to sign a restrictive reporting policy advanced by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Hegseth, dogged by reports highlighting his unfitness for the job, wants to control the flow of information from the department he leads. He wants the press to be his stenographer, rather than the free and independent fourth estate.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources lean Left
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