Pentagon bars journalists from entering its press office citing re-designation
Summary
The Pentagon has declared its press office a classified area, stopping journalists from entering because speechwriters who work with secret information use that space. This change is part of broader Pentagon efforts to limit press access, which have led to legal fights with major news outlets like The New York Times.Key Facts
- The Pentagon's press office is now a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, a space for handling classified information.
- Journalists can no longer enter the press office because speechwriters who deal with classified material share the space.
- The Pentagon has been restricting journalists’ ability to gather information since September, requiring them to avoid unauthorized information.
- Many experienced Pentagon reporters refused to accept new restrictions and gave up their press passes.
- The Pentagon created a new press group of about 60 journalists from far-right outlets in October.
- The New York Times has sued the Pentagon twice, challenging press restrictions.
- Courts have ruled partly in favor of The New York Times, but some restrictive Pentagon policies remain temporarily.
- The Defense Department has not commented publicly beyond social media posts on these changes.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.