Pentagon's New Credentialing Rules Threaten Press Freedom in the US

The Pentagon's decision to shut out journalists who refuse to sign new restrictive credentialing rules marks a "staggering retreat" from long-held values of openness and transparency, according to PEN America. The new rules, imposed on Wednesday, would have placed significant restrictions on newsgathering, leaving the public without an independent press corps inside the Pentagon. This move is designed to suppress critical coverage of the nation's largest federal agency, with a budget nearing $1 trillion and global influence.

Key Takeaways:

• The Pentagon's new credentialing rules would have restricted journalists from publishing unclassified information without official authorization, potentially blocking critical reporting on events like Abu Ghraib or the Pentagon Papers.
• The Defense Department has escalated its rhetoric around reporting, deeming journalists "security risks" who could have their credentials revoked for asking Defense Department employees for information without official approval.
• PEN America, a human rights organization, has condemned the Pentagon's decision as a threat to press freedom and democracy, highlighting the importance of an independent press corps in holding the government accountable.
• The organization is heartened by the solidarity of news organizations standing together in the face of government censorship, continuing to cover the Pentagon despite the new rules.
• The new credentialing rules are a step backward from the values of openness and transparency that the US has long claimed to uphold, according to PEN America.

Statistics:

• The Pentagon's budget is nearing $1 trillion.
• The Defense Department's new rules would have restricted journalists from publishing unclassified information without official authorization.
• PEN America has noted that the new rules are a threat to democracy, as an independent press corps is essential for holding the government accountable.
• The Pentagon's new rules have been met with public outcry, with news organizations and journalists standing together against government censorship.

Sources:

• PEN America press release, "Pentagon's Rules Changes for Reporters Marks a Dark Day for U.S. Press Freedom" (no date given)
• PEN America, "Learn more" at pen.org
• Defense Department memo (no date given), as cited in the PEN America press release
• Various news articles (no specific dates or sources given) that report on the Pentagon's new credentialing rules and the response from PEN America and news organizations.