Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news The Pentagon increases media restrictions, needing prior approval before reporting unclassified information
  • Local news

The Pentagon increases media restrictions, needing prior approval before reporting unclassified information

    Pentagon steps up media restrictions, now requiring approval before reporting even unclassified info
    Up next
    Rare flesh eating-bacteria claims another victim as officials urges public to take precautions
    Another victim claimed by rare flesh-eating bacteria; officials urge public to take precautions
    Published on 21 September 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • Approval,
    • before,
    • Business,
    • Donald Trump,
    • Elon Musk,
    • Entertainment,
    • Even,
    • Info,
    • Jeffrey Goldberg,
    • Matt Murray,
    • Media,
    • Mike Balsamo,
    • mike waltz,
    • Now,
    • Pentagon,
    • Pete Hegseth,
    • reporting,
    • requiring,
    • restrictions,
    • steps,
    • U.S. news,
    • unclassified,
    • Washington news
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    The Pentagon will now require credentialed journalists at its military headquarters to sign a pledge agreeing not to report information that has not been authorized for release, including unclassified material.

    Journalists who fail to comply with this policy risk losing their credentials that allow them access to the Pentagon, as outlined in a 17-page memo distributed on Friday. This memo intensifies media restrictions initially imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration.

    The directive states, “Information must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorizing official before it is released, even if it is unclassified.” The signature form includes a variety of security requirements for credentialed media at the Pentagon.

    Press freedom advocates criticized the non-disclosure requirement, viewing it as a threat to independent journalism. These new Pentagon restrictions coincide with Trump’s broader efforts involving threats, lawsuits, and governmental pressure, reshaping the American media landscape.

    “If the news about our military must first be approved by the government, then the public is no longer getting independent reporting. It is getting only what officials want them to see,” stated National Press Club President Mike Balsamo, who is also the national law enforcement editor at The Associated Press. “That should alarm every American.”

    Hegseth says no more permission to ‘roam the halls’

    Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News Channel personality, highlighted the restrictions in a social media post on X.

    “The ‘press’ does not run the Pentagon — the people do. The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility,” Hegseth remarked. “Wear a badge and follow the rules — or go home.”

    The Pentagon this year has evicted many news organizations while imposing a series of restrictions on the press that include banning reporters from entering wide swaths of the Pentagon without a government escort — areas where the press had access in past administrations as it covers the activities of the world’s most powerful military.

    The Pentagon was embarrassed early in Hegseth’s tenure when the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, was inadvertently included in a group chat on the Signal messaging app where the Defense secretary discussed plans for upcoming military strikes in Yemen. Trump’s former national security adviser, Mike Waltz, took responsibility for Goldberg being included and was shifted to another job.

    The Defense Department also was embarrassed by a leak to The New York Times that billionaire Elon Musk was to get a briefing on the U.S. military’s plans in case a war broke out with China. That briefing never took place, on President Donald Trump’s orders, and Hegseth suspended two Pentagon officials as part of an investigation into how that news got out.

    Media organizations clap back

    On Saturday, the Society of Professional Journalists also objected to the Pentagon’s move, calling it “alarming.”

    “This policy reeks of prior restraint — the most egregious violation of press freedom under the First Amendment — and is a dangerous step toward government censorship,” it said in a statement Saturday. “Attempts to silence the press under the guise of “security” are part of a disturbing pattern of growing government hostility toward transparency and democratic norms.”

    And Matt Murray, executive editor of The Washington Post, said in the paper’s columns Saturday that the new policy runs counter to what’s good for the American public.

    “The Constitution protects the right to report on the activities of democratically elected and appointed government officials,” Murray said. “Any attempt to control messaging and curb access by the government is counter to the First Amendment and against the public interest.”

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like
    Golden Apple: Courtney Hester
    • Local news

    Courtney Hester: The Golden Apple of Inspiration

    Evans, Ga () Imagine diving into a bustling schedule right from the…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    Operation Santa is now accepting Christmas letters
    • Local news

    Send Your Christmas Letters: Operation Santa is Now Open

    KANSAS (KSNT) – The United States Postal Service (USPS) has restarted Operation…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    Jimmy Kimmel makes emotional return to late-night show
    • Local news

    Jimmy Kimmel’s Heartfelt Comeback to Late-Night TV

    Internet Explorer 11 is not supported. For the best experience, please visit…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    Three detainees were shot at Dallas ICE facility
    • Local news

    Three Inmates Injured by Gunfire at Dallas ICE Center

    IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    Typhoon Ragasa batters Hong Kong and southern China after causing deaths in Taiwan and Philippines
    • Local news

    Typhoon Ragasa Hits Hong Kong and Southern China Following Deadly Impact in Taiwan and Philippines

    HONG KONG (AP) — Early Wednesday, Typhoon Ragasa, one of the most…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    Social Security: When are September, October payments sent out?
    • Local news

    Social Security: What are the payment dates for September and October?

    (NEXSTAR) — Still waiting for your September Social Security check? You’re in…
    • Internewscast
    • September 23, 2025
    Bullets hit nearby homes in short term vacation rental shooting
    • Local news

    Stray Gunfire Impacts Nearby Homes in Vacation Rental Incident

    CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. () — Residents of Whitefield Avenue describe their area…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    5 takeaways from Trump's long, contentious UN speech 
    • Local news

    5 Key Highlights from Trump’s Lengthy and Controversial UN Address

    President Trump cautioned that nations are headed for “hell” if they adopt…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025

    Lead helps recover $100K skid steer theft in Washington County, Va., reports sheriff’s office

    A community tip off led to the recovery of a stolen skid…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    Colombia's president calls for criminal investigation against Trump over Caribbean strikes
    • Local news

    Colombian President Demands Criminal Probe into Trump’s Caribbean Actions

    BOGOTA – On Tuesday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro urged a criminal investigation…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    After Trump's claims about acetaminophen, doctors try to reassure pregnant patients
    • Local news

    Doctors Aim to Reassure Pregnant Patients Following Trump’s Acetaminophen Comments

    Dr. Heidi Leftwich, who specializes in maternal-fetal medicine at UMass Memorial Health,…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    Watch live: Dallas ICE facility shooting updates from police
    • Local news

    Live Coverage: Updates on Police Response to Dallas ICE Facility Shooting

    Several detainees were shot at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    These earbuds include a tiny wired microphone you can hold
    • Tech

    These Earbuds Feature a Handy Mini Wired Microphone

    While companies such as DJI strive to miniaturize wireless wearable microphones to…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    Toddler was already decomposing when mom called 911: Police
    • Crime

    Toddler Found Decomposing When Mother Dialed 911: Police Report

    Background: The Shelbyville, Indiana, home where Sophie Igou lived with her children…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    Three detainees were shot at Dallas ICE facility
    • Local news

    Three Inmates Injured by Gunfire at Dallas ICE Center

    IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    Ukraine's president says world in 'most destructive arms race in history'
    • AU

    Ukraine’s President Claims World’s ‘Most Destructive Arms Race Ever’

    “We are now living through the most destructive arms race in history,”…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.