Press Freedom Curbed in America: Journalists Must Get Prior Approval
The Pentagon introduced new rules requiring journalists to obtain prior approval before publishing reports, sparking strong backlash from press groups and politicians.
The Pentagon has introduced new rules requiring journalists to seek prior approval from officials before publishing any reports related to the Department of Defense. Reporters covering Pentagon affairs must now sign a commitment ensuring their work is cleared in advance, or risk losing access credentials.
The directive was swiftly criticized by press organizations. The National Press Club described it as a grave threat to journalistic independence and a violation of democratic principles. The Society of Professional Journalists also warned that such restrictions could effectively strip meaning from press freedom in the United States.
Political leaders have joined the outcry. Senator Jack Reed, a senior Democrat, denounced the policy as “a direct blow to fundamental rights,” insisting that journalists should not be reduced to mouthpieces for the government.
Despite the criticism, Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth defended the rules, saying they were necessary to maintain order within the institution. In an online message, he emphasized that the Pentagon must guard against uncontrolled media activity.
Observers note that while press freedom is guaranteed by the First Amendment, the Pentagon’s directive represents the most sweeping restriction on journalists within the department in decades.
The move underscores mounting tensions between government security concerns and constitutional protections for the media. Critics argue that the new rules risk undermining public trust and damaging America’s democratic credibility.
Whether the Pentagon will reconsider its controversial policy remains uncertain, but the debate has already sparked one of the most serious clashes over press freedom in recent memory.
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