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Washington: In June 2025, US Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth addressed the press at the Pentagon, as reported by AFP. That same day, major U.S. and international news organizations, including The New York Times, AP, AFP, and Fox News, chose not to sign the new restrictive media policies introduced by the Pentagon, leading to potential loss of press credentials.
These recent policies follow ongoing restrictions inside the Pentagon, which have included forcing certain outlets to vacate their offices and significantly curtailing briefing opportunities for journalists. The Pentagon’s new media guidelines have been criticized by the Pentagon Press Association (PPA) for silencing employees and threatening retaliation against reporters seeking unapproved information.
AFP released a statement explaining it cannot agree to policies that demand media to acknowledge vague rules which seem to conflict with American constitutional principles and foundational journalistic standards. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to continue comprehensive coverage of the Pentagon and U.S. military matters.
Major broadcast networks such as ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, and NBC issued a joint statement opposing the new policies, asserting they hinder journalists’ ability to inform the public on critical national security issues. Conservative outlets including The Washington Times and Newsmax reportedly also refuse to accept the new rules, risking the revocation of approximately 100 press privileges.
This move is part of broader efforts by the Pentagon to limit journalists’ access, including earlier actions that saw eight media outlets, like The Washington Post, CNN, NBC, and NPR, removed from their dedicated offices—purportedly to accommodate more conservative media. Additionally, journalists now require escorts for restricted areas within the Pentagon, and the frequency of briefings has been sharply reduced—down from multiple sessions weekly during Biden’s administration to about half a dozen this year.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, has been outspoken against leaks from the department. However, earlier this year, he inadvertently shared sensitive information about imminent strikes on Yemen’s Huthi rebels via a messaging app, Signal, after being mistakenly added to a chat. Reports suggest he also used Signal to discuss U.S. strikes in Yemen with his wife and others not involved in official briefings. These actions have prompted an investigation by the Pentagon inspector general.
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