Several of the nation’s leading news organizations have rejected a new policy restricting press access to the Pentagon ahead of an Oct. 14 deadline set by the Defense Department.
On Oct. 13, the New York Times, Washington Post, and The Atlantic first said they would not sign the agreement, with the Associated Press and Reuters quickly joining, describing it as an infringement on First Amendment protections.
A day later, FOX News Media, ABC News, CBS News, CNN, and NBC News issued a joint statement saying they too would decline.
“Today, we join virtually every other news organization in declining to agree to the Pentagon’s new requirements, which would restrict journalists’ ability to keep the nation and the world informed of important national security issues,” the five networks said, according to CNN’s Brian Stelter. “The policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections.”
Other organizations rejecting the policy include The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Newsweek, the Washington Times, POLITICO, Axios, and Newsmax.
Newmax, a conservative outlet typically supportive of the Trump administration, called the requirements “unnecessary and onerous” in an article explaining its position.
“Newsmax has long advocated for its First Amendment rights, which include a free press and free speech,” the company said.
Under the new access rules, released in September, reporters can have their Pentagon passes revoked if they publish information the department has not explicitly cleared for release, NBC reported.
“Pentagon access is a privilege, not a right,” War Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a post on X Oct. 13. “Press no longer roams free. Press must wear visible badge. Credentialed press no longer permitted to solicit criminal acts. DONE. Pentagon now has same rules as every U.S military installation.”
Pentagon access is a privilege, not a right. So, here is @DeptofWar press credentialing FOR DUMMIES:
Press no longer roams free
DONE. Pentagon now has same rules as every…
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) October 13, 2025
One America News Network appears to be the only outlet to confirm it signed the agreement, NBC reported.
Hegseth responded to several outlets announcing their refusal — including the New York Times, the Atlantic, and the Post — with waving-hand emojis on social media.
The post Major news outlets reject Pentagon’s new press access policy appeared first on CatholicVote org.