DAVID BAUDER Bauder is the AP’s national media writer, covering the intersection of news, politics and entertainment. He is based in New York.
Bauder is the AP’s national media writer, covering the intersection of news, politics and entertainment. He is based in New York.
New York Times, AP, Newsmax among news outlets who say they won’t sign new Pentagon rules
New York Times, AP, Newsmax among news outlets who say they won’t sign new Pentagon rules
By DAVID BAUDER Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Leer en español
By DAVID BAUDER Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Leer en español
Those outlets say the policy threatens to punish them for routine news gathering protected by the First Amendment. The Washington Post, The Atlantic and Reuters on Monday also publicly joined the group that says it will not be signing. AP confirmed Monday afternoon that it would not sign.
“Reuters is bound by its commitment to accurate, impartial and independent news,” the agency said in a statement. “We also steadfastly believe in the press protections afforded by the U.S. Constitution, the unrestricted flow of information and journalism that serves the public interest without fear or favor. The Pentagon’s new restrictions erode these fundamental values.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reacted by posting the Times’ statement on X and adding a hand-waving emoji. His team has said that reporters who don’t acknowledge the policy in writing by Tuesday must turn in badges admitting them to the Pentagon and clear out their workspaces the next day.
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The new rules bar journalist access to large swaths of the Pentagon without an escort and say Hegseth can revoke press access to reporters who ask anyone in the Defense Department for information — classified or otherwise — that he has not approved for release.
Newsmax, whose on-air journalists are generally supportive of President Donald Trump’s administration, said that “we believe the requirements are unnecessary and onerous and hope that the Pentagon will review the matter further.”
“The policy does not ask for them to agree, just to acknowledge that they understand what our policy is,” Parnell said. “This has caused reporters to have a full blown meltdown, crying victim online. We stand by our policy because it’s what’s best for our troops and the national security of this country.”
Hegseth also reposted a question from a follower who asked, “Is this because they can’t roam the Pentagon freely? Do they believe they deserve unrestricted access to a highly classified military installation under the First Amendment?”
Pentagon reporters say signing the statement amounts to admitting that reporting any information that hasn’t been government-approved is harming national security. “That’s simply not true,” said David Schulz, director of Yale University’s Media Freedom & Information Access Clinic.
Journalists have said they’ve long worn badges and don’t access classified areas, nor do they report information that risks putting any Americans in harm’s way.
“The Pentagon certainly has the right to make its own policies, within the constraints of the law,” the Pentagon Press Association said in a statement on Monday. “There is no need or justification, however, for it to require reporters to affirm their understanding of vague, likely unconstitutional policies as a precondition to reporting from Pentagon facilities.”
Noting that taxpayers pay nearly $1 trillion annually to the U.S. military, Times Washington bureau chief Richard Stevenson said “the public has a right to know how the government and military are operating.”
Trump has applied pressure on news organizations in several ways, with ABC News and CBS News settling lawsuits related to their coverage. Trump has also filed lawsuits against The New York Times and Wall Street Journal and moved to choke off funding for government-run services like the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
New York Times, AP, Newsmax among news outlets who say they won’t sign new Pentagon rules
DAVID BAUDER Bauder is the AP’s national media writer, covering the intersection of news, politics and entertainment. He is based in New York.
DAVID BAUDER Bauder is the AP’s national media writer, covering the intersection of news, politics and entertainment. He is based in New York.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the rules establish “common sense media procedures.”
Hegseth answered, “yes.” Reporters say neither of those assertions is true.
Los Angeles County officials to vote on emergency declaration over immigration raids Nations meet to consider regulations to drive a green transition in shipping Despite momentous ceasefire, the path for lasting peace and rebuilding in Gaza is precipitous
By DAVID BAUDER Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Leer en español
By DAVID BAUDER Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Leer en español
Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year]
Los Angeles County officials to vote on emergency declaration over immigration raids
Los Angeles County officials to vote on emergency declaration over immigration raids
Los Angeles County officials to vote on emergency declaration over immigration raids
Nations meet to consider regulations to drive a green transition in shipping
Nations meet to consider regulations to drive a green transition in shipping
Nations meet to consider regulations to drive a green transition in shipping
Despite momentous ceasefire, the path for lasting peace and rebuilding in Gaza is precipitous
Despite momentous ceasefire, the path for lasting peace and rebuilding in Gaza is precipitous
Despite momentous ceasefire, the path for lasting peace and rebuilding in Gaza is precipitous
Los Angeles County officials to vote on emergency declaration over immigration raids Nations meet to consider regulations to drive a green transition in shipping Despite momentous ceasefire, the path for lasting peace and rebuilding in Gaza is precipitous
Los Angeles County officials to vote on emergency declaration over immigration raids Nations meet to consider regulations to drive a green transition in shipping Despite momentous ceasefire, the path for lasting peace and rebuilding in Gaza is precipitous
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