New York Times Rejects Pentagon’s Revised Media Policy

The newspaper says the revised credential rules would punish routine newsgathering protected by the First Amendment.

Overview

The New York Times said it will not sign the Pentagon’s updated press-pass policy, arguing it threatens reporters with penalties for standard reporting practices.
A late-September Washington Post report described an earlier draft that told journalists not to collect or retain Defense Department information unless preapproved for publication and required agreements restricting movement inside the building.
The Times reported in October that the Pentagon softened the proposal by clarifying it will not require prepublication review, yet the paper says serious concerns remain.
In its statement, the Times emphasized taxpayers fund the U.S. military at close to one trillion dollars annually, asserting the public’s right to scrutinize government and military actions.
The dispute follows separate Times reporting, cited by RIA, alleging tighter press access under Defense Secretary Pete Hegset, including a proposed limit on NBC’s Courtney Kube that his lawyer denies.