Media outlets ranging from The Atlantic to CNN to Newsmax have so far said they do not plan to have their correspondents sign a new Pentagon press policy, arguing that it attempts to threaten access to the complex unless journalists agree to restrictions on how they normally did their jobs.
The New York Times, Washington Post and NPR also said they would not sign.
A Newsmax spokesperson said Monday: “Newsmax does not intend to sign the letter. We are working collaboratively with other media outlets to resolve the situation. We believe the requirements are unnecessary and onerous and hope the Pentagon will review the matter further.”
A CNN spokesperson said: “We will not shy away from our duty to hold all three accountable fairly and fully, and we will continue to report on the actions and decision-making processes of the US government without fear or favor.” »
The Pentagon unveiled a new policy last month that requires information “to be approved for public release by an appropriate authorized official before release, even if it is unclassified.” The risk for the news agencies that signed it was that their journalists would lose their credentials to access the complex.
Journalists’ groups consulted with Pentagon press officials about changes to the policy, but even after revisions they still found it too restrictive.
Last week, the Pentagon Press Association said the policy “still leaves open the threat that the Department of Defense will revoke the credentials of journalists who exercise their First Amendment rights by seeking information not previously approved for official publication, even when the information is completely unclassified.”
The press association said the policy also “sends an unprecedented message of intimidation to all DoD personnel, warning against unapproved interactions with the press and even suggesting that it is criminal to speak without express permission – which is clearly not the case.” Some journalists have argued that activity such as posting a call for advice on social media would be against the rules.
Richard Stevenson, New York Times Washington bureau chief, said the policy threatens to punish journalists “for ordinary newsgathering protected by the First Amendment. Since the policy was first announced, we have expressed concerns that it limits how journalists can report on the U.S. military, which is funded by $1 trillion of taxpayer money each year. year”.
Some media outlets, such as CBS News, NBC News and Fox News, have not yet indicated whether their journalists will sign this policy.
One media outlet that is signing is One America News Network. “After a thorough review of the revised press policy by our attorney, OAN staff signed the document,” the network’s Charles Herring said in a statement.
Throughout the day Monday, as the signing deadline approached, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responded to media outlets announcing their refusal to sign with a “goodbye” hand emoji.
He wrote: “Access to the Pentagon is a privilege, not a right. So here are the @DeptofWar press credentials FOR DUMMIES: The press no longer moves freely. The press must wear a visible badge. The accredited press is no longer allowed to solicit criminal acts. FACT. The Pentagon now has the same rules as all US military installations.”
But Pentagon veterans said Hegseth was wrong, as the press had already displayed insignia. nor did they have access to areas such as classified spaces.
Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, and Shaun Tandon, president of the State Department Correspondents’ Association, said in a joint statement: “Access inside the Pentagon has never been a matter of convenience for journalists. The public has the right to know how the government conducts the people’s business. Unfettered reporting on the U.S. military and its civilian leaders serves those in uniform, to veterans, their families and all Americans. “
