For the first time in over 60 years, CBS News will no longer have a workspace inside the Pentagon after declining to sign new press requirements. These requirements were designed by the department to control stories about the military and prevent leaks, but nearly all major news organizations declined to sign on. CBS News journalists will continue to report from the Pentagon despite losing access to the building.
The decision comes after CBS News radio correspondent Joseph F. McCaffrey reported live from the Pentagon during D-Day in 1944. The network had a long history of having reporters and cameras inside the building, with David Martin covering every major military conflict for over 40 years. The Pentagon gave Martin his first press badge in 1983, allowing him to break news and tell stories about the military’s service members.
Many CBS News journalists are giving up their passes due to concerns that the new requirements could infringe on their First Amendment rights. Charlie D’Agata is one such journalist who will continue to cover national security from outside the Pentagon. The department claims the new policy aims to stop press leaks and control stories about the military, but nearly all major news organizations declined to sign on.
The Pentagon had a deadline of 5 p.m. for journalists to return signed agreements, with CBS News being one of the few outlets that declined. However, losing access to the building won’t stop CBS News from reporting on what’s happening at the Pentagon. Despite this setback, the network remains committed to telling stories about the military and its service members.
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Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-news-pentagon-60-year-presence-press-requirements