Defence secretary Pete Hegseth applied strict press restrictions on the Pentagon, requiring authorities escorts for journalists in beforehand accessible areas.In a big coverage shift introduced late Friday, protection secretary Pete Hegseth applied strict press restrictions on the Pentagon, requiring authorities escorts for journalists in beforehand accessible areas.The brand new measures have an effect on areas together with his workplace, service department press workplaces, and areas occupied by prime navy officers.Entry to joint chiefs chairman Gen. Dan Caine’s workplace and different senior navy management areas now requires Hegseth’s specific approval and employees escort. This marks a departure from the traditionally open relationship between navy management and journalists.Hegseth, who beforehand labored at Fox Information Channel, issued an order and posted on X submit earlier than a vacation weekend, citing nationwide safety issues. He said, “Whereas the division stays dedicated to transparency, the division is equally obligated to guard (categorised intelligence info) and delicate info, the unauthorized disclosure of which might put the lives of US service members in peril.”The Pentagon press affiliation challenged this rationale, viewing it as an assault on press freedom. They launched a press release Friday night time expressing critical issues about proscribing journalists’ motion in non-secured, unclassified areas.Further measures embrace necessary types for safeguarding delicate info and new press identification badges. Latest safety breaches, together with leaked details about a deliberate Elon Musk briefing and an unintentional Sign chat inclusion of The Atlantic’s editor, preceded these adjustments.The Trump administration has taken a number of measures affecting press entry, together with FCC investigations into main networks and authorized disputes with The Related Press. Regardless of elevated entry for conservative media, Trump has maintained frequent press interactions.Hegseth’s tenure has seen restricted press engagement, with just one Pentagon briefing since January 20. The administration has additionally diminished media presence by eradicating workplace house from distinguished information organisations together with The New York Instances, The Washington Put up, CNN and NBC.
