Journalists Reject Pentagon's New Reporting Rules, Vacate DoW Premises

The nation's military and defense journalists have walked out of the Pentagon in protest of the US Department of War's new reporting rules, returning their access badges and leaving the building. The Department of War, recently re-branded from the Department of Defense, restricted media access inside the Pentagon, forcing some news outlets to vacate offices in the building and drastically reducing the number of briefings for reporters. The nation's leadership has called the new rules "common sense" to help regulate a "very disruptive" press, but the move has been met with widespread criticism from the journalism community.

Key Takeaways:

Dozens of news agencies declined to sign the new Pentagon access policy for journalists, insisting that instead they would give less coverage to the US military.
The Pentagon's new rules require journalists to pledge that they will not collect or report any information, even unclassified documents, without formal clearance.
The rules also state that only individuals with proper clearance, signed non-disclosure agreements, and a “need-to-know” may access classified information.
The Department of War says the reporters working in the Pentagon must acknowledge "all information must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorizing official before it is released, even if it is unclassified."
The nation's military and defense journalists have vacated the Pentagon premises, with some 40 to 50 reporters from about 30 outlets -- including Fox News, Reuters, and the New York Times, among others -- leaving the building.
The Pentagon Press Association has called the move a "dark day for press freedom that raises concerns about a weakening US commitment to transparency in governance, to public accountability at the Pentagon and to free speech for all."
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth imposed the new sweeping rules on the media last month, requiring journalists to "wear a badge and follow the rules or go home."
The rules have been met with widespread criticism from the journalism community, with many calling it an attack on press freedom.

Statistics:

40 to 50 reporters from about 30 outlets have vacated the Pentagon premises in protest of the new rules.
100+ news organizations are represented by the Pentagon Press Association, which has criticized the new rules as a threat to press freedom.
97% of major US networks are against US President Donald Trump, according to his claims.
Over 30 news outlets, including Fox News, Reuters, and the New York Times, have declined to sign the new Pentagon access policy for journalists.

Sources:

SyndiGate Media Inc.