Several major U.S. news organizations have refused to sign a new Pentagon policy that limits journalists to reporting only officially approved information.
The rules, introduced last month by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, would require media outlets to pledge not to seek or use unauthorized material and to avoid restricted areas unless escorted by an official. Outlets had until Tuesday evening to comply or risk losing their Pentagon press credentials within 24 hours.
The proposal has drawn strong criticism from across the media landscape. The Washington Post, New York Times, CNN, Reuters, The Guardian, Associated Press, NPR, The Atlantic, and HuffPost are among those rejecting the policy, calling it a direct threat to press freedom protected by the First Amendment.
“The proposed restrictions undercut constitutional protections and place unnecessary limits on journalism,” said Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray. The New York Times added that the public “has a right to know how the government and military are operating.”
Hegseth responded online with a dismissive wave emoji and later posted what he called “Press Credentialing for Dummies,” outlining the new requirements. He claimed the measures protect national security and prevent “criminal acts” by the press.
Media groups, however, argue the changes are designed to intimidate reporters and silence whistleblowers. The Pentagon Press Association warned that the rules “stifle a free press” and could criminalize routine reporting.
While most mainstream and some right-leaning outlets like Newsmax rejected the agreement, far-right network One America News said it had accepted the new conditions, calling them “reasonable.”