The United States Department of Defense has withdrawn Pentagon reporters’ badges after they refused to sign a new media policy. The action, according to journalists, threatens press freedom and limits independent reporting.
The Pentagon, located in Arlington, Virginia, serves as the main headquarters of the U.S. military.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Pentagon Press Association called the move a dark day for press freedom. It warned that the decision weakens America’s long-standing culture of transparency and accountability.
The association explained that badges were seized because journalists declined to sign the new policy. Members believe it could criminalize national security reporting and expose them to legal risks.
The new rules, effective October 15, require journalists to acknowledge that they could lose access for publishing unapproved material. Even unclassified information could lead to restrictions.
According to Reuters, reporters from CNN, Reuters, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Fox News left their Pentagon offices after rejecting the policy. Only One America News Network reportedly accepted the new terms.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell also defended the measure, insisting it protects national security, not silence the media. He said the rule only requires acknowledgment of restrictions, not full agreement.
CBS News correspondent David Martin, who has covered the Pentagon for over 40 years, described the new policy as troubling. He said it makes the Pentagon harder to cover and warned that more sanctions could follow.
Reuters further noted that the new arrangement gives Pentagon officials broader powers. They can now revoke badges, restrict journalists’ movement, and control contact with defense officers.
The move has drawn comparisons to similar incidents in Nigeria, where journalists once faced intimidation.
