"The Pentagon says it will require credentialed journalists at the military headquarters to sign a pledge to refrain from reporting information that has not been authorized for release — including unclassified information.
Journalists who don’t abide by the policy risk losing credentials that provide access to the Pentagon, under a 17-page memo distributed Friday that steps up media restrictions imposed by the administration of President Donald Trump.
“Information must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorizing official before it is released, even if it is unclassified,” the directive states. The signature form includes an array of security requirements for credentialed media at the Pentagon.
Advocates for press freedoms denounced the non-disclosure requirement as an assault on independent journalism. The new Pentagon restrictions arrive as Trump expands threats, lawsuits and government pressure as he remakes the American media landscape."
Morgan Lee reports for the Associated Press September 20, 2025.
SEE ALSO:
"News Outlets, Lawmakers Condemn New Pentagon Restrictions On Journalists" (Washington Post)
"Trump Demands Bondi Prosecute Political Foes In Truth Social Posts" (Washington Post)
"Trump Ramps Up Retribution Campaign With Push For Bondi To Pursue Cases Against His Foes" (AP)
"News Analysis: In Assault on Free Speech, Trump Targets Speech He Hates" (New York Times)
"Trump: ‘It’s No Longer Free Speech.’" (Politico)
"‘Not Allowed’: Trump Makes Ridiculous New Claims About Media Critics And The Free Press" (MSNBC)
Advertisement 
