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Key Points

The Pentagon is implementing unprecedented new rules for reporters covering the Department of War. Journalists must sign a pledge agreeing not to publish certain information, including some unclassified documents. Officials defend the move as necessary for national security, citing risks from unauthorized disclosures. The restrictions follow earlier measures imposed after Secretary Pete Hegseth accidentally shared sensitive details in a group chat.

Key Points: Pentagon Requires Reporters Sign Pledge for Building Access

  • Reporters must sign pledge not to publish certain unclassified documents
  • New rules give Pentagon wide control over media coverage inside building
  • Failure to comply results in suspension or revocation of building pass
  • Restrictions follow earlier measures after sensitive details were shared mistakenly
2 min read

Pentagon restricts press access, asks reporters to sign pledge on publishing rules

Pentagon restricts press access, requiring reporters to sign a pledge agreeing not to publish certain unclassified information or risk losing building access.

"The 'press' does not run the Pentagon, the people do. The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility. - US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth"

Washington, DC September 21

Reporters covering the US Department of War (earlier called Department of Defence) will soon be required to sign a pledge agreeing not to publish certain information if they wish to enter the Pentagon, an unprecedented move that gives the agency wide control over media coverage, Politico reported.

According to Politico, the email to journalists from Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that they could continue to enter the Department of War only if they sign a note saying they will not publish classified information or any less sensitive documents that are not explicitly labelled as government secrets. The rule will take effect over the next two to three weeks.

The new rules, announced on Friday, state that even some unclassified documents cannot be made public unless cleared by an "authorising official."

"Failure to abide by these rules may result in suspension or revocation of your building pass and loss of access," the note said. The change will take effect within the next two to three weeks.

Officials defended the decision, saying unauthorised disclosures "pose a security risk that could damage the national security of the United States and place [Defence Department] personnel in jeopardy." Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the new requirement in an email to reporters, as per Politico.

Reacting to the criticism, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wrote on X, "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."

The restrictions follow earlier measures imposed in May after Hegseth faced backlash for sharing sensitive details about US strikes in Yemen on a Signal chat group that included a journalist by mistake. Since then, reporters have been confined to the press bullpens, cafeteria and courtyard, and need an escort to move elsewhere inside the building, according to Politico.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
National security is important, but this feels like overreach. The "authorising official" clause gives too much power to decide what gets published. Not a good precedent.
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Priya S
After that Signal chat incident, some restrictions were expected. But making journalists sign pledges? That's crossing a line. Accountability should work both ways.
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Michael C
The Secretary's comment about "the people run the Pentagon" is ironic when they're restricting information from reaching those very people. Doesn't add up.
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Aditya G
Interesting to see this happening in the US, which often lectures other countries about press freedom. Hope Indian media learns from this and remains vigilant about our own freedoms.
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Nisha Z
While security is important, this seems like a reactionary measure after one mistake. Proper protocols yes, but blanket restrictions? That's not the solution.

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