Judge orders Pentagon to lift policy that NYT journalists be accompanied by an escort
Summary
A federal judge has ordered the Pentagon to stop requiring New York Times journalists to be escorted inside its building. The judge ruled that this policy violates the First Amendment, which protects freedom of the press, while the lawsuit against the Defense Department continues.Key Facts
- The Pentagon required New York Times journalists to have an official escort while inside the building.
- U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman said this escort policy violates the First Amendment.
- The judge issued a preliminary ruling to halt the escort requirement temporarily.
- The New York Times sued the Defense Department twice over access restrictions in the past year.
- The escort policy was put in place after Judge Friedman struck down earlier restrictions on reporters.
- Pentagon spokesperson said the department disagrees with the ruling, citing security concerns.
- The appeals process on this case is still ongoing.
- Other news outlets walked out of the Pentagon in protest of the restrictions and report on the military from outside now.
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.