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Among many mainstream news publications dismissing the Pentagon prohibitive new press restrictions Ahead of Tuesday’s signing deadline, the right-wing cable channel newsmax surprisingly announced that he would refuse to even sign the new agreement, calling the policy “unnecessary and onerous”.
In fact, amid continued opposition to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s new rules – which the Pentagon Press Association called a. “Unprecedented message of intimidation” – Only one media organization has agreed to sign the letter: Trump-promoting Channel One America News.
Late last month, the Defense Department – which the Trump administration recently redesignated the War Department – announced It was imposing severe restrictions on journalists covering the Pentagon, including requiring them to stop collecting any information that had not already been cleared by the department. Hegseth announced that any journalist who did not sign the pledge would have his press credentials revoked.
After intense outcry from independent press advocacy groups and media outlets, including the National Press Club, which said the new policy “should concern every American,” the Pentagon released a revised agreement last week.
While the new draft states that “members of the news media are not required to submit their writing to the department before publication”, it still clarifies that journalists cannot demand or receive any information that the department does not authorize. It also outlines what behaviors can lead to journalists being considered a “security risk” and having their press passes taken away.
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Hegseth, former Fox News Morning host, has was on a mission To crack down on the press covering the department in recent months – particularly In the wake of the shameful Signal chat leakEven before proposing these latest media restrictions, the Pentagon had already done so Destroyed many legacy media organizations From their dedicated places, restricted the movement of journalists inside the building, and was press conferences are rarely held,
The Pentagon Press Association said, “The American people deserve to know how their military is run. They deserve more information from this administration, not less. We hope the Pentagon will reconsider.” said in reply For media restrictions of the department.
After issuing a revised press policy last week, the Pentagon said that any media representative who did not acknowledge and sign the letter by 5 p.m. Tuesday had one day to turn in their pass and vacate their desk. News outlets, including some conservative ones, have instead taken a firm stance and refused to back down. The Pentagon Press Association has already hired lawyers for the potential legal fight, and other news organizations have consulted with their own legal counsel.
A spokesperson for the right-wing television network said in a statement, “Newsmax has no plans to sign the letter. We are working closely with other media outlets to resolve the situation.” “We believe the requirements are unnecessary and burdensome and hope the Pentagon will review this matter further.”
Newsmax’s stance is notable considering how closely aligned the networks it runs are Trump confidant Christopher RuddyIs with the White House. Newsmax has been trying to position itself for a long time Fox News rights And appeal openly For both the President and his staunchest supporter – a strategy which is Recently the channel started airing advertisements For Trump’s “Fight, Fight, Fight” watch collection.
Christopher Dolan, conservative newspaper president and executive editor Washington Timesalso revealed that journalists from his outlet would not sign the agreement.
One America News, the small far-right channel that has seen its fortunes improve with Trump’s return to the White House, is the only outlet so far to approve the letter. “After a thorough review of the revised press policy by our counsel, OAN staff have signed off on the document,” network president Charles Herring said in a statement.
Fox News did not immediately respond when asked whether the network’s journalists had signed the letter.
According to the publication, new York Timescnn, Washington Post, atlantic, The Guardian, The Hill And trade publication Breaking Defense has said its journalists will not sign the agreement.
“The proposed restrictions undermine First Amendment protections by placing unnecessary constraints on collecting and publishing information,” Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray Said On Monday. “We will continue to report rigorously and objectively on the policies and positions of officials at the Pentagon and across the government.”
Atlantic’s Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg, who was Involved in the infamous Signal chat Earlier this year, Hegseth shared highly sensitive war plans, explaining why his outlet’s journalists were denouncing the policy.
Goldberg said, “We fundamentally oppose the restrictions that the Trump administration is imposing on journalists who are reporting on defense and national security matters.” “The requirements violate our First Amendment rights and the rights of Americans who deserve to know how taxpayer-funded military resources and personnel are being deployed.”
Meanwhile, defense spokesman Sean Parnell criticized the press for “deciding to move the goal posts” after the latest amendment to the policy, and said that journalists are not required to agree to the restrictions, but rather accept them.
Parnell said in a statement: “The Pentagon established common-sense media procedures for the press at every step of the process, including representatives from outlets such as new York TimesCNN and others have expressed their gratitude for our efforts. Yet at the last minute, they have decided to move the goal post and refuse to sign the policy because of one issue: a line that says they “understand” what our policies are.
“The policy doesn’t ask them to agree, just to acknowledge that they understand what our policy is. This has caused complete dismay to journalists, with victims crying foul online. We stand by our policy because it is what is best for our troops and the national security of this country.”
Hegseth took it even further on Monday, responding to condemnation from several news publications – notably new York TimesThe Post and this atlantic – with waving hand emojiAs if saying goodbye to the outlets.