"Two sources, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Washington Post that the photos were deemed 'unflattering'. Photojournalists were subsequently barred from attending two further press briefings about Iran at the Pentagon. Only department photographers and videographers were allowed."
"The Pentagon has not explicitly confirmed or denied the report. However, it made major changes to its press access last fall. It demanded journalists sign a pledge not to gather or publish unauthorized information, including non-classified material. Major news outlets refused to sign."
"The Pentagon Press Association described the policy as an 'unprecedented message of intimidation'. The dozen or so news outlets that did agree to sign included several right-wing publications, such as One America News Network."
The Pentagon restricted press photographers from attending briefings about Iran led by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine on March 2. Major news agencies including Associated Press, Reuters, and Getty Images sent photographers to cover the briefing following strikes on Iran's former Supreme Leader. Pentagon sources indicated the resulting photos were deemed 'unflattering,' leading to photographers being barred from two subsequent Iran-related briefings. Only Pentagon photographers and videographers were permitted. This incident reflects broader Pentagon restrictions implemented last fall requiring journalists to sign pledges against publishing unauthorized information. Major news outlets refused, citing threats to accountability reporting. Only select outlets, including right-wing publications, agreed to sign.
#pentagon-press-restrictions #media-access-control #government-transparency #press-freedom #defense-department-policy
Read at Queerty
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]