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
    Indoor pumpkin patch fun at Nana Ana's Playhouse in Tampa
    • Local news

    Enjoy Indoor Pumpkin Patch Excitement at Nana Ana’s Playhouse in Tampa

    Despite the summer-like conditions outside, Nana Ana’s Playhouse in Tampa is fully…
    • Internewscast
    • September 23, 2025
    'Rapturetok' videos go viral on social media
    • Local news

    Viral Social Media Trend: ‘Rapturetok’ Videos

    IE 11 is not supported. For the best experience, please access our…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    'Sanctuary' cops refuse to help with Illinois protesters: Feds
    • Local news

    Federal officials claim local ‘sanctuary’ law enforcement won’t assist with Illinois protestors.

    Federal immigration agencies are accusing law enforcement in Illinois of not assisting…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    NHC watching 2 tropical waves: Where are they headed? | Tracking the Tropics
    • Local news

    NHC Monitors Two Tropical Waves: What Are Their Paths? | Tropical Tracking Update

    TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The National Hurricane Center is keeping an eye…
    • Internewscast
    • September 23, 2025
    TRAFFIC ALERT: I-75 closed in Marion after dump truck strikes CR-320 overpass
    • Local news

    TRAFFIC UPDATE: I-75 Shut Down in Marion Due to Dump Truck Colliding with CR-320 Overpass

    MARION COUNTY, Fla. – An overpass was hit by a dump truck…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    Jimmy Kimmel becomes emotional during monologue after returning to air
    • Local news

    Jimmy Kimmel Gets Emotional During First Show Back

    IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    Trump calls climate change 'a con job'
    • Local news

    Trump Labels Climate Change ‘a Con Job’

    IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…
    • Internewscast
    • September 23, 2025
    Statue of Trump and Epstein placed near U.S. Capitol
    • Local news

    Sculpture of Trump and Epstein Installed Close to U.S. Capitol

    Internet Explorer 11 is not compatible with our site. To enjoy the…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    Bluffton Mayor responds to town councilperson lawsuit
    • Local news

    Bluffton’s Mayor Addresses Lawsuit Involving Town Council Member

    BLUFFTON, S.C. () — Bluffton’s mayor is speaking out about a lawsuit…
    • Internewscast
    • September 23, 2025
    'Treated like trash': Patriot Inn residents forced out after Plant City buys land, plans to demolish building
    • Local news

    ‘Driven Out Like Trash’: Patriot Inn Residents Evicted as Plant City Acquires Land for Demolition

    PLANT CITY, Fla. (WFLA) — Nearly a dozen residents of the Patriot…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    Prison to production: SC inmates build plates, signs
    • Local news

    From Inmates to Craftsmen: SC Prisoners Create Plates and Signs

    COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) — You might not be aware, but the road…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    Oklahoma girl first to undergo first-of-its-kind heart surgery
    • Local news

    Oklahoma Girl Makes Medical History with Groundbreaking Heart Surgery

    OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A metro girl is the first to have a…
    • Internewscast
    • September 23, 2025
    Aston Villa sign ex-Unai Emery teammate who revived Alexander Isak and Martin Odegaard’s careers
    • Sport

    Aston Villa Acquires Former Unai Emery Ally Known for Revitalizing Careers of Alexander Isak and Martin Odegaard

    Aston Villa havenamed Roberto Olabe as their new president of football operations…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    More than 5,000lbs of cheese recalled for possible contamination with bacteria
    • World News

    Over 5,000 Pounds of Cheese Recalled Due to Potentially Dangerous Bacterial Contamination

    Health officials have issued an urgent recall for a number of cheese products…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    North Carolina lawmakers pass 'Iryna's Law' to eliminate cashless bail after Charlotte train stabbing
    • US

    North Carolina Approves ‘Iryna’s Law’ Ending Cashless Bail Following Stabbing Incident on Charlotte Train

    North Carolina’s legislators have approved a measure known as “Iryna’s…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025

    Leaked: Spain’s 2026 World Cup Home Jersey Revealed

    As the reigning champions of Europe, Spain is considered a leading contender…
    • Internewscast
    • September 24, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.