The Pentagon press briefing room at the Pentagon in Washington DC (Credit: DOD)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has imposed new press restrictions that limit reporters’ access within the Pentagon. Under the policy that takes effect immediately, journalists are barred from entering many locations in the massive Pentagon building in Arlington, VA unless accompanied by an official escort. Hegseth has dealt with a series of embarrassing leaks since becoming the Pentagon chief four months ago. The new press rules were outlined in a memo Hegseth released Friday in which he stated the policy is being imposed to protect classified and sensitive information. “While the Department remains committed to transparency, the Department is equally obligated to protect CNSI (Classified National Intelligence Information) and sensitive information – the unauthorized disclosure of which could put the lives of U.S. Service members in danger,” Hegseth wrote. Journalists are not authorized to be in areas including where Hegseth’s office is located as well as locations occupied by the joint chiefs and the press office for the joint chiefs unless they have an official approval and escort, according to the memo. In addition, reporters are no longer authorized access to the Pentagon athletic center and will be issued new credentials which more clearly states “PRESS” in large type on the badge. Many see the restrictions as punishing media for reporting on leaks inside the Pentagon.
The Pentagon Press Association sharply criticized Hegseth’s access restrictions in a statement Friday.
“There is no way to sugarcoat it. Today’s memo by Secretary Hegseth appears to be a direct attack on the freedom of the press and America’s right to know what its military is doing. The Pentagon Press Association is extremely concerned by the decision to restrict movement of accredited journalists within the Pentagon through non-secured, unclassified hallways. The decision is purportedly based on concerns about operational security. But the Pentagon Press Corps has had access to non-secured, unclassified spaces in the Pentagon for decades, under Republican and Democratic administrations, including in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, without any concern about OP-SEC from DoD leadership.”
The PPA also questioned why Hegseth failed to hold a press briefing with journalists in his first 100 days. In February, the Trump administration removed office space at the Pentagon for eight media organizations that included The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, and NBC to make way for other outlets, including right-wing sites Breitbart News and One America News.
