The Pentagon has introduced a new requirement for journalists covering its activities: a pledge forbidding them from gathering any information, including unclassified reports, that has not been authorized for release. This move comes at a time when the Trump administration has been under scrutiny for its attacks on First Amendment rights, raising serious concerns about press freedom and transparency.
During a recent discussion on NPR, host Scott Detrow highlighted the implications of these new rules, noting that the Pentagon’s announcement coincided with a week marked by various actions against press freedoms by the Trump administration. These included President Trump’s attempts to sue The New York Times and the removal of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel from the airwaves after threats from the chairman of the FCC against ABC’s stations. Trump has also cautioned broadcasters that airing critics like Kimmel could jeopardize their licenses.
NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik elaborated on the Pentagon’s new requirement, explaining that, under the leadership of Pete Hegseth—formerly a host on “Fox & Friends Weekend”—the Pentagon had promised unprecedented transparency. However, this promise has not materialized, with the military branch conducting few press briefings and expelling several media organizations, including NPR, The New York Times, and the Washington Post, from their reporting slots.
Folkenflik pointed out the stark implications of this pledge for journalists who routinely cover military operations and policies. “These reporters have spent years building relationships with military personnel and gaining insights that help them inform the American public,” he stated. “Now, they are being asked to pledge to avoid gathering any information not sanctioned by the Pentagon.”
The lack of public statements from major television networks, including Fox News, CBS, NBC, and CNN, regarding this development is notable. In contrast, leaders from NPR, the Washington Post, and The New York Times have released strong statements condemning this move as a violation of First Amendment principles. The concept of prior restraint—a legal doctrine that prevents the government from obstructing the press before information is published—has long been upheld by the Supreme Court, notably in the landmark Pentagon Papers case involving the Nixon administration.
Detrow questioned Folkenflik about the importance of this issue for the general public. Folkenflik emphasized that journalists play a crucial role in providing the American people with an accurate understanding of military actions, how service members are treated, and how taxpayer dollars are allocated. He referenced recent conflicts involving the Trump administration and the Defense Department’s portrayal of alleged Venezuelan drug boats, which has raised legal and ethical questions among lawmakers from both parties.
Moreover, he mentioned military claims regarding successful strikes on nuclear sites in Iran that were later called into question. “What information are we really receiving about the Pentagon?” Folkenflik asked. “The notion that the Pentagon gets to decide what the public learns about its operations is deeply troubling.”
This new requirement raises significant issues not only for journalists but for the public’s right to know about military actions and spending. As the Pentagon tightens its grip on information, the challenge for reporters—and for democracy itself—will be to navigate these restrictions while continuing to serve the interests of an informed citizenry.
