Washington, D.C. – Major U.S. news outlets, including NPR, The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, and The Atlantic, are rejecting new Pentagon reporting rules introduced under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, warning they would amount to government control of the press.
The controversial policy would reportedly require reporters covering the U.S. military to obtain pre-approval from Pentagon officials before publishing certain stories — effectively giving the administration power to decide what information reaches the public.
The New York Times echoed that concern, saying it “will not sign the Pentagon’s new press pass policy,” which it described as a violation of the First Amendment. The paper’s Washington bureau chief, Richard Stevenson, stated that the public “has a right to know how the government and military are operating,” especially when taxpayer dollars are involved.
According to multiple reports, only One America News Network (OAN) has agreed to the new policy so far. Hegseth appeared to acknowledge the backlash on social media, posting a waving hand emoji above a screenshot of the Times’ statement — a gesture interpreted by many as a farewell to mainstream media access at the Pentagon.
Critics warn the policy represents one of the most direct challenges to press freedom in modern U.S. history, arguing it mirrors the kind of message control found in authoritarian systems. Supporters claim it ensures “responsible reporting” on sensitive military matters.
The standoff sets up a major confrontation between the press and the Pentagon — and raises serious questions about transparency, accountability, and the future of free speech in America.
