Journalists leave the Pentagon to protest new restrictions that limit freedom of reporting
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The Pentagon has reclassified its press office as a Restricted Information Facility, prompting the withdrawal of dozens of journalists from major organizations such as the New York Times, Washington Post and CNN in protest of new access restrictions imposed by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, which require prior approval and signing of pledges not to publish sensitive information.
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Valdez wrote on the communication platform Х: “The Pentagon’s press office has been reclassified as a facility for handling restricted information, since speechwriters from the Office of the Secretary of War use the same room.”
Journalists leave the Pentagon to protest new restrictions that limit freedom of coverage (photos + video)
The Pentagon spokesman said that since these employees regularly work with classified materials and use the protected and secure SIPRNet network, the presence of unauthorized persons, especially the press, in this room is now strictly prohibited.
Valdez explained that meetings with press secretary and head of public relations Sean Parnell are now only possible by appointment.
Last May, the Pentagon issued new regulations restricting the access of media representatives to department buildings, including the office of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, for fear of leaking classified information. Journalists are no longer allowed to enter except with prior permission, and only into specific rooms accompanied by employees from the ministry.
Previously, the Ministry of War (formerly Defense) included in the list of new journalists only those who agreed to its rules. Only less than twenty journalists submitted their permits, while American media reported that about fifty journalists submitted their permits to the ministry, refusing to agree to the new conditions related to not publishing sensitive information.
Before that, the US War Department was limited to forming the new press team from correspondents who agreed to its conditions only, as their number did not exceed twenty journalists. On the other hand, American media reported that about 50 journalists handed over their permits to the ministry, refusing to submit to the new conditions prohibiting the publication of sensitive information.
After the Pentagon's campaign to restrict press freedom, dozens of journalists from major institutions (such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN) withdrew from the press team after rejecting the new access policies imposed by the US Secretary of War, which required them to sign exceptional pledges.
