From Washington Examiner: A coalition of news outlets, including the conservative Newsmax, said they wouldn’t sign the Pentagon’s new document outlining new press rules.
The group, which includes the Washington Post, the Atlantic, Reuters, NPR, Newsmax, the Wall Street Journal, the Guardian, the Associated Press, and the New York Times, argued that the new rules violate the First Amendment.
Among the stipulations of the new policy is a ban on reporters asking anyone in the Department of War for any information that hasn’t been approved for release. Reporters are also barred from accessing swathes of the Pentagon without an escort.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell argued that the policy simply established “common sense media procedures.”
Parnell explained, “The policy does not ask for them to agree, just to acknowledge that they understand what our policy is.
“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 the national security of this country.”
The news outlets disagree with the conditions, with NPR Editor-in-Chief Thomas Evans releasing “one of the most forceful statements,” according to the Examiner.
“NPR will never be party to limitations on the independence of the press and the objective, fact-based reporting of our journalists,” the statement said. “We will not sign the Administration’s restrictive policy that asks reporters to undermine their commitment of providing trustworthy, independent journalism to the American public.
“The new policy threatens that commitment by giving the Administration final say over what can and cannot be reported about our military and its actions. The role of a free press is to remain objective and share information not subject to influence. If reporting about the American military is pre-approved by the military, the public is not getting real reporting — it is getting only what officials want the public to see.”
The New York Times’s statement read: “Journalists from the New York Times will not sign the Pentagon’s revised press pass policy, which threatens to punish them for ordinary news gathering protected by the First Amendment.
“Since the policy was first announced, we have expressed concerns that it constrains how journalists can report on the U.S. military, which is funded by nearly $1 trillion in taxpayer dollars annually.”
“The public has a right to know how the government and military are operating.”
According to the Post: “The proposed restrictions undercut First Amendment protections by placing unnecessary constraints on gathering and publishing information. We will continue to vigorously and fairly report on the policies and positions of the Pentagon and officials across the government.”
Reuters said: “Reuters is bound by its commitment to accurate, impartial and independent news.
“We also steadfastly believe in the press protections afforded by the U.S. Constitution, the unrestricted flow of information and journalism that serves the public interest without fear or favor. The Pentagon’s new restrictions erode these fundamental values.”
The Atlantic said: “The Atlantic’s journalists will not sign the Pentagon’s press policy. We fundamentally oppose the restrictions that the Trump administration is imposing on journalists who are reporting on matters of defense and national security.
“The requirements violate our First Amendment rights, and the rights of Americans who seek to know how taxpayer-funded military resources and personnel are being deployed. We will continue to cover matters of defense, war, and national security independently and fairly.”
Newsmax, generally considered conservative and Trump-approved, said: “We are working in conjunction with other media outlets to resolve the situation. We believe the requirements are unnecessary and onerous and hope that the Pentagon will review the matter further.”
War Secretary Pete Hegseth seemed to shrug off the announcements after he posted a waving emoji in response to some of the statements.
Outlets must sign the pledge by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, or the Pentagon will take away their press passes.
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) October 13, 2025
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) October 13, 2025
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) October 13, 2025
Read more at WashingtonExaminer.
