Pentagon Restricts Press Access, Enforcing New Rules
The Pentagon announced on Friday that it will only permit journalists access to its facilities under the condition that they agree to refrain from publishing certain information—an unprecedented measure that grants the Department of Defense, now rebranded as the Department of War, extensive control over the content released, reports 24brussels.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell informed various newsrooms via email that reporters must sign a pledge not to disclose classified information or documents categorized as sensitive, even those not officially labeled as secret. This directive is set to take effect within two to three weeks and will apply to all media organizations covering the Department of War headquarters.
“The press does not run the Pentagon, the people do,” stated Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in a post on X on Friday night. He further emphasized that journalists who do not carry identification will be turned away. Hegseth’s comments reflect a significant shift in the relationship between the U.S. military and the press.
This latest move follows a controversial tightening of press access in May, driven by leaks regarding U.S. operations in Yemen. Additionally, this week, the Trump Administration has increased its confrontational stance against the media, highlighted by President Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit against The New York Times. Critics argue these actions signal a continuing erosion of press freedom in the United States.
Furthermore, reports emerged that the U.S. government exerted pressure on ABC to indefinitely suspend comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s show following his criticism of the Republican response to the assassination of ultraconservative activist Charlie Kirk. Such actions suggest a broader pattern of restricting media discourse amidst a fraught political landscape.