US EditionPentagon relaxes press restrictions after outcry
The Pentagon removed the requirement for journalists to seek approval before publishing non-official information after negotiations with news organizations lasting over two weeks.
- On Monday, the Defense Department loosened and clarified new press restrictions at the Pentagon after more than two weeks of talks with national news organizations, allowing journalists to publish non-official information without departmental approval.
- After sustained objections from major outlets, the Pentagon faced pressure to change the rules as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had tightened corridor access and removed workspaces for four outlets, prompting pushback from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
- News outlets will have one week to review and accept the new policy, and those who decline risk losing their press credentials; the draft also outlines conditions labeling journalists as "security risks".
- Pentagon officials framed the revisions as consistent with First Amendment safeguards, with Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesman, writing the clarifications address concerns and do not infringe rights.
- The move arrives amid ongoing clashes between the Trump administration and national news organizations, including lawsuits against The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times and Comcast Corporation targeted earlier this month.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Pentagon Walks Back Media Restrictions
The Pentagon has retreated from a controversial press policy after sharp backlash, clarifying that credentialed journalists will not be required to seek Defense Department approval before publishing articles based on unclassified information, The Hill reported. The revised guidance, released Monday evening, marks a reversal from an earlier draft issued last month, which press groups said threatened press freedom. That draft suggested reporters c…
Pentagon relaxes press restrictions after outcry
The Pentagon has altered its new rules restricting press access in the building, clarifying that credentialed journalists will not need approval from Defense Department officials before publishing articles with information not officially released. An earlier draft of the rules, released last month, received widespread pushback from news outlets and press groups. It appeared to require…
Journalists will not need permission from the ministry to publish articles that contain information that has not been officially made public.
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