Military Reporters & Editors expresses concern new Pentagon rules will put a chill on the free flow of information vital to the public
WASHINGTON – May 28, 2025 (MRE) – Last week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continued his war on the First Amendment, freedom of the press and America’s right to know the fate of the men and women who serve. On Friday, he issued a memorandum imposing new restrictions on journalists’ access to portions of the Pentagon and promising further restraints on those who cover it.
Military Reporters & Editors is deeply troubled by this restriction on a free press, the likes of which we have never seen at the Pentagon before. The stated rationale for corralling journalists is to increase operational security by decreasing unfettered access. In reality, journalists have been able to freely wander the halls of the Pentagon for decades, meeting with public affairs professionals hired to share information vital to the understanding of one of the world’s most powerful and important institutions.
This has been a practice conducted under Republican and Democratic administrations alike, all of whom have come under scrutiny by the Pentagon press corps. Under these new rules imposed by Hegseth, many areas are now off limits completely, or require prior permission and an escort to enter. This isn’t meant to protect the republic, it is designed to impose a chill. And it is a disservice to the American public, troops, veterans and families who rely on a dedicated free press to shine the light on matters of vital interest.
All this follows Hegseth’s move to kick legacy media outlets – deemed unfriendly to him – out of existing workspaces to be largely replaced by those who produce friendlier coverage. And it includes an ominous promise of looming new restrictions for those who fail to comply, which could threaten access not just to parts of the Pentagon, but to the building entirely.
Ideally, the press corps could work out these issues through fair, respectful dialogue instead of through fiat. Many of the reporters impacted by this decree have embedded with U.S. forces around the globe – covering conflicts and sensitive operations — and deeply understand the importance of operational security. Any of us who embedded with U.S. forces during the invasion of Iraq or spent time with our troops in Afghanistan have respected the operational security requirements of our forces far better than Hegseth did during the Signalgate scandal.
But this is a defense secretary who holds the media in such disdain that he has not met with us in the briefing room to answer questions about this department, his decisions as secretary, and their impact on the men and women of the U.S. military. Similarly, his spokespeople have held only one official press briefing, standing in stark contrast to their counterparts at the White House and State Department.
Our founding fathers understood the necessity of a free and vibrant fourth estate to democracy; weakening it will weaken us all.
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- Assure journalists have access to places where the U.S. military and its allies operate.
- Provide resources, support. educational and networking opportunities for members, fostering excellence in journalism.
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