The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), under Secretary Pete Hegseth in the Trump administration, introduced a revised media access policy in early September 2025. This policy requires journalists with Pentagon press credentials to sign a pledge acknowledging restrictions on their reporting activities. Key elements include:
- Prohibition on unauthorized information: Reporters must not obtain, use, or publish any information (even unclassified) that hasn't been pre-approved for public release by an official.
- Movement limits: Journalists are barred from "roaming freely" in the Pentagon building and must wear visible badges at all times; access to many areas requires an escort.
- Consequences for non-compliance: Failure to sign by the deadline results in surrendering credentials within 24 hours, effectively revoking physical access to the Pentagon complex.
The policy replaces a simpler one-page access form and stems from Hegseth's efforts to curb leaks and perceived media overreach. It follows earlier actions like evicting outlets (e.g., NYT, CNN, WaPo, NPR, Politico) from dedicated workspaces in January 2025 and halting routine briefings.
Critics, including the Pentagon Press Association, argue it violates First Amendment rights by gagging sources and threatening retaliation for standard journalism. The deadline for signing was 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday), with non-signers required to vacate desks by Wednesday.
News organizations across the political spectrum—from left-leaning (e.g., NYT, WaPo) to centrist (e.g., AP, Reuters) to right-leaning (e.g., Newsmax)—have rejected the policy. They view it as an unconstitutional attempt to control information flow on a $1 trillion taxpayer-funded agency. As NPR's editor-in-chief Thomas Evans stated, it undermines "trustworthy, independent journalism" and the public's right to know. The Supreme Court has long affirmed journalists' rights to publish lawfully obtained government information, even if sensitive. Outlets plan to continue coverage via tips, remote reporting, and alternative channels, despite losing physical access.
Which Outlets Are Refusing to Sign?
In all, Dozens of organizations announced their refusal by the deadline.