Major News Outlets Will Refuse to Sign "Unconstitutional" Pentagon Press Policy

"Andrew Harnik / Getty Images Honest, paywall-free news is rare. Please support our boldly independent journalism with a donation News outlets that cover the US Department of Defense have until 5:00 pm Tuesday to sign an agreement put forward by the Pentagon last month that bars journalists from reporting any information that hasn't been explicitly authorized by the Trump administration - but several major organizations were resolute in stating they would not be agreeing to the terms."

"Outlets including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Atlantic, NPR, and the trade publication Breaking Defense were among those that released statements on Monday saying they would not be signing the agreement released last month, which says journalists could be deemed a "safety or security risk" if they ask Pentagon personnel for sensitive information for reporting purposes."

"Since the Department of Defense does not hold regular news briefings, many journalists who report on national security issues use their publications or social media accounts to call for tips from DOD personnel - a practice that would be treated as suspicious under the new policy and could limit outlets' access."

The Department of Defense issued a requirement that news outlets covering the Pentagon sign an agreement prohibiting reporting of information not explicitly authorized by the Trump administration. The agreement characterizes journalists who solicit sensitive information from Pentagon personnel as potential "safety or security risks." Major outlets including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Atlantic, NPR, and Breaking Defense publicly refused to sign. The policy penalizes outlets that decline by threatening to revoke press credentials within 24 hours. Many organizations plan to continue reporting on the military without credentials rather than accept the restrictions. The Times warned the policy risks punishing ordinary newsgathering protected by the First Amendment.

Read at Truthout