IMD Tech News

Major US News Outlets Defy Pentagon Press Policy Over Press Freedom Concerns

Leading US news organizations including Reuters, AP, and major networks have refused to sign the Pentagon’s new press access policy. The policy threatens journalists with credential revocation for seeking sensitive information, raising constitutional concerns.

WASHINGTON – In a dramatic standoff over press freedoms, at least 30 major American news organizations have declined to sign the Pentagon’s controversial new press access policy ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, warning the restrictions could severely limit comprehensive coverage of the world’s most powerful military.

Unprecedented Press Restrictions

by Gabriel NovakOctober 15, 2025November 2, 2025

Digital Media Energy Policy

Pentagon Press Rules Face Boycott from New York Times, AP, Newsmax

The New York Times, Associated Press, and Newsmax are among media outlets refusing to sign the Pentagon’s new press policy. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s rules could lead to journalist expulsions, sparking First Amendment debates about military press access.

Major news organizations including The New York Times, Associated Press, and conservative outlet Newsmax have announced they will not sign the Pentagon’s new press rules, setting up a potential mass expulsion of journalists from Defense Department facilities. The unprecedented standoff centers on First Amendment protections and what reporters describe as restrictive media policies that could punish routine news gathering.