Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, Oct 14: A major standoff has erupted between leading U.S. news organizations and the Pentagon after the Defense Department introduced a controversial media policy requiring journalists to pledge not to obtain unauthorized material and restricting unaccompanied access to certain areas.

The new rule, introduced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last month, has drawn sharp criticism for allegedly curbing press freedom. Media outlets were asked to sign the pledge by Tuesday 5 pm or return their press credentials within 24 hours.

Several top organizations including The Washington Post, The New York Times, CNN, Reuters, The Guardian, Associated Press, NPR, HuffPost, The Atlantic, and Breaking Defense have refused to comply, terming the move unconstitutional.

Matt Murray, Executive Editor of The Washington Post, said the policy “undercuts First Amendment protections by placing unnecessary constraints on gathering and publishing information.” He added that the newspaper would continue to “vigorously and fairly” report on Pentagon policies.

The Atlantic described the policy as fundamentally restrictive, while The New York Times emphasized the public’s right to know how the government and military operate, especially as the defense sector is funded by nearly $1 trillion annually.

In response, Hegseth mocked critics on social media, posting a waving-hand emoji and later sharing a list titled “Press Credentialing FOR DUMMIES,” insisting that “press no longer roams free” and must “wear visible badges.” He even reposted a cartoon mocking The Atlantic as a crying baby.

Reuters also condemned the move, saying it goes against constitutional press protections and the free flow of information. NPR’s editor-in-chief Thomas Evans said his network would not sign any policy that “undermines independent journalism.” HuffPost’s Whitney Snyder called the restrictions “flatly unconstitutional” and an attempt to “snuff out actual news gathering.”

Even some right-leaning outlets, including Newsmax, rejected the pledge, calling the rules “unnecessary and onerous,” though the far-right One America News said it was happy to comply, calling the conditions “reasonable.”

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell defended the policy, accusing journalists of overreacting and saying the guidelines were “best for our troops and national security.”

However, the Pentagon Press Association (PPA) denounced the move, warning that it could criminalize normal reporting. “The revised policy appears designed to stifle a free press and intimidate both journalists and defense officials from speaking freely,” the PPA said.

The ongoing dispute has fueled a nationwide debate over government transparency and press freedom under the new defense leadership.