CPJ urges Pentagon to reconsider new press access restrictions

The Committee to Protect Journalists called on the Pentagon to reconsider new restrictions on journalists covering the Department of War in a letter sent Friday to the United States Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs.

The Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs announced new policies and procedures to restrict media access within the Pentagon building and require new press badges in a September 18 internal memo addressed to departmental leadership, media outlets reported. The Office sent a revised memo on October 6 that said it could revoke press credentials for reporters who violate the new policies, which includes a ban on soliciting classified information and “controlled unclassified information” from personnel.

Journalists credentialed with the Pentagon are required to sign a written acknowledgement of policy changes or risk having their credentials revoked, and CPJ’s letter warns that such restrictions limit press access to federal agencies, which suppresses freedom of speech and violates the First Amendment.

Read the full letter here.