Pentagon Enforces New Reporting Restrictions on Journalists

Tue Sep 23 2025 09:04:47 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The Pentagon's recent memo mandates that journalists must seek approval before releasing any information, including unclassified data, intensifying government control over the media.

In a controversial move, the Pentagon has implemented a policy requiring credentialed journalists to sign a pledge restricting their reporting on unapproved information. Critics argue this undermines independent journalism and represents a broader trend of government censorship. The policy has been criticized by press freedom advocates, pointing to a dangerous encroachment on the First Amendment.

The Pentagon says it will now require credentialed journalists to sign a pledge committing to not report information that hasn't been authorized for release, which includes unclassified information. This new policy comes in a 17-page memo that tightens media restrictions first imposed by the Trump administration.

“Information must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorizing official before it is released, even if it is unclassified,” states the directive, which outlines various security requirements for media operating in the Pentagon.

Press freedom advocates have condemned this non-disclosure requirement, labeling it an assault on independent journalism. As the Trump administration faces increasing scrutiny, these new restrictions highlight a broader shift in the government’s approach to controlling media access and transparency.

“If the news about our military must first be approved by the government, then the public is no longer getting independent reporting; it is getting only what officials want them to see,” commented Mike Balsamo, President of the National Press Club and national law enforcement editor at The Associated Press. “That should alarm every American.”

Restrictions Highlighted

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News Channel anchor, emphasized these restrictions on social media. He stated, “The ‘press’ does not run the Pentagon — the people do. The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility; wear a badge and follow the rules — or go home.”

This year, the Pentagon has already evicted numerous news organizations and imposed a series of restrictions, including barring reporters from large sections of the Pentagon that were previously accessible without escort, significantly limiting their ability to cover military activities.

Notably, the Pentagon faced embarrassment earlier when a group chat incident accidentally included a journalist discussing sensitive military plans. This incident, along with others, has prompted stricter controls over media interactions.

Media Backlash

The Society of Professional Journalists has reacted strongly to these moves, labeling them alarming. Their statement describes the policy as “prior restraint” — an egregious violation of press freedom under the First Amendment. They argue that these attempts to silence the press under security pretexts are part of a troubling trend of increasing government hostility toward transparency.

In a similar vein, Matt Murray, executive editor of The Washington Post, articulated the importance of protecting the right to report on the activities of government officials, asserting that any efforts to control messaging run counter to the First Amendment and the public interest. The growing concerns about government control over media underscore the ongoing debate over press freedom and transparency in America.