"The New York Times has announced it is suing the Pentagon, accusing the Department of Defense of engineering an unprecedented purge of traditional reporters in favor of pro-Trump digital influencers. The lawsuit, to be filed in Washington, D.C., names the department, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and chief spokesman Sean Parnell, and asks a federal judge to strike down new access rules imposed in October."
"The policy is an attempt to exert control over reporting the government dislikes, in violation of a free press' right to seek information under their First and Fifth Amendment rights protected by the Constitution, Times spokesperson Charlie Stadtlander said on Thursday. He added: The Times intends to vigorously defend against the violation of these rights, just as we have long done throughout administrations opposed to scrutiny and accountability."
"Earlier this week, dozens of pro-Trump creators, including MAGA loyalist Laura Loomer, and former Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz were ushered through an orientation billed as the new Pentagon press corps, despite little experience covering defense policy. Those who refused to sign the new rules have been mocked as having chosen to self-deport and will not be missed, Parnell claimed. The Pentagon Press Association told CNN it is encouraged by The Times' move, calling it a necessary defense of press freedom."
The New York Times is suing the Department of Defense, naming Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and spokesman Sean Parnell, and asking a court to strike down access rules imposed in October. Beat reporters refused to sign the policy and surrendered their Pentagon press passes in a mass protest, including journalists from conservative outlets such as Fox News and Newsmax. A Times spokesperson said the rules attempt to control reporting and violate First and Fifth Amendment rights. Pentagon officials cited national security. Dozens of pro-Trump creators with little defense experience received press orientation, while critics called the move an embrace of culture-war influencers.
Read at www.mediaite.com
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