The US Department of Defense has proposed a new press policy that reporters will not sign by Tuesday’s deadline due to concerns over its impact on First Amendment protections and public access to information. Major news organizations, including The Washington Post, New York Times, Associated Press, CNN, Newsmax, and the Washington Times, have refused to sign the agreement.
The policy restricts media representatives from obtaining or soliciting information without explicit authorization from the Defense Department. Those who do not comply will face consequences, including losing their media credentials and being asked to leave Pentagon facilities. Critics argue that this policy undermines journalists’ ability to report on the U.S. military, which receives significant funding from taxpayers.
The Pentagon Press Association has also condemned the policy, calling it “Soviet-style restrictions.” Some notable publications have refused to sign, including The Atlantic, Fox News, and The Guardian, while others, like One America News Network (OAN), have agreed to do so under a revised version of the policy.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/10/13/prominent-media-reject-new-pentagon-rules-before-signing-deadline