Major U.S. news organizations, spanning liberal to conservative outlets, have overwhelmingly refused to sign the Pentagon’s new reporting restrictions, set to take effect on October 15, 2025, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The policy requires journalists to acknowledge rules limiting access to unescorted areas, mandating visible badges, and revoking credentials for soliciting or publishing unauthorized information—even unclassified—without prior approval. Outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, Fox News, NPR, Reuters, The Associated Press, Newsmax, and ABC, CBS, and NBC News issued statements rejecting the pledge as unconstitutional and a threat to press freedom. The Pentagon Press Association warned it “gags” employees and risks retaliation for routine reporting. Hegseth dismissed critics with a waving emoji on X, insisting access is a “privilege, not a right.” Non-signers must surrender badges by Wednesday, potentially shrinking the Pentagon press corps. Only One America News Network has agreed to sign. Critics, including the White House Correspondents’ Association, decried the move as stifling transparency amid Hegseth’s adversarial stance toward media. Social media buzzed with support for journalists, highlighting bipartisan media unity.
