Tensions are flaring between America’s top news organizations and the Pentagon after Pete Hegseth announced that reporters must sign a new compliance policy or risk losing their press access.
The policy, which critics argue undermines First Amendment protections, has sparked outrage across the media landscape.
New Rules Limit Journalists’ Freedom
The Department of War is requiring all journalists with Pentagon press credentials to sign an agreement barring military personnel from making “unauthorized disclosures.”
Those who refuse must surrender their badges and vacate their offices by 5pm Tuesday.
Major outlets—including CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and the Daily Mail—have already stated they will not sign.
Reporters argue the policy restricts communication with military sources and essentially criminalizes routine reporting, even though such reporting is protected under the Constitution.
Restricted Access and Threats of Revocation
Under the new rules, journalists may be barred from large areas of the Pentagon without an escort.
Press passes can be revoked if reporters request information that has not been approved by the Secretary of War.
The Pentagon Press Association criticized the policy as sending “an unprecedented message of intimidation” to personnel considering speaking to the media.
Media Outlets Push Back
On Monday, The Associated Press, Reuters, and Newsmax also announced they would refuse to comply.
Newsmax described the requirements as “unnecessary and onerous,” while Reuters emphasized its commitment to accurate, impartial reporting, stating that the Pentagon’s restrictions “erode fundamental values” of press freedom.
Journalists warn that signing the policy would imply that sharing any unapproved information harms national security—a claim they reject.
David Schulz, director of Yale University’s Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic, said, “That’s simply not true.
Reporters have long adhered to safety protocols and do not disclose information that could put Americans at risk.”
Pentagon Defends the Policy
Hegseth defended the new rules, posting on X that “Pentagon access is a privilege, not a right.”
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell described the rules as “common sense media procedures” and downplayed the criticism:
“This has caused reporters to have a full-blown meltdown, crying victim online.
We stand by our policy because it’s what’s best for our troops and national security.”
However, the Pentagon Press Association stressed that while the military can set policies, there is no justification for forcing reporters to acknowledge vague, potentially unconstitutional rules before reporting from its facilities.
Background Controversies Add to Tensions
Critics note that Hegseth’s crackdown follows his own security lapse earlier this year.
In March, he accidentally shared sensitive war plans for operations against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen via a Signal chat that included the editor of The Atlantic.
Hegseth claimed no classified information was shared, but the incident fueled concerns over his handling of press access.
Journalists Stand Firm
Despite the pressure, news organizations have stood united in defending the First Amendment and the integrity of independent reporting.
They argue that standard safety protocols already prevent the disclosure of classified information and that the Pentagon’s new policy is an unnecessary barrier designed to intimidate journalists rather than protect national security.