Pentagon Imposes New Restrictions on Journalists: A Threat to Press Freedom?

Tue Sep 30 2025 06:19:39 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The Pentagon has introduced stricter media access rules requiring journalists to sign pledges limiting the information they can report. Critics label the move as an alarming step towards censorship and increased government control over news.

In a significant crackdown on press freedom, the Pentagon has mandated credentialed journalists to pledge against reporting unauthorized information, including unclassified details. This policy has been widely criticized by press freedom advocates and media organizations, who perceive it as a direct threat to independent journalism and a dangerous move towards government censorship. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced the changes, emphasizing control over media access and raising alarms about diminishing transparency in military reporting.

The Pentagon is tightening its grip on media access by requiring credentialed journalists to sign a non-disclosure pledge that prohibits reporting on any information not authorized for release. This policy particularly raises concerns as it includes unclassified information, effectively limiting the scope of what journalists can report.

According to a 17-page memo circulated recently, failing to comply with these restrictions may result in journalists losing their Pentagon credentials. The memo states, Information must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorizing official before it is released, even if it is unclassified. Critics have condemned these stringent requirements as an attack on independent journalism.

Mike Balsamo, President of the National Press Club, expressed alarm, noting, “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.”

Defense Secretary Hegseth's Stance

Highlighting the new restrictions, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the press does not control the Pentagon, insisting that journalists must adhere to protocols if they wish to maintain access. Wear a badge and follow the rules — or go home, he emphasized. The Pentagon has also evicted several news organizations this year and banned reporters from various areas previously accessible to them.

Adding to the controversy were incidents earlier in Hegseth’s tenure, where improper media access inadvertently exposed sensitive discussions related to military operations, leading to administrative fallout within the Defense Department.

Media Response and Concerns

Many media organizations have reacted vigorously against these developments. The Society of Professional Journalists described the new policy as “alarming” and a form of prior restraint that infringes upon First Amendment rights. They expressed concerns over increasing government hostility toward transparency in journalism.

Matt Murray, executive editor of The Washington Post, reiterated the message of the importance of transparency in a democracy, stressing that control over messaging by the government contradicts public interests and poses a risk to democratic values.