For the first time in the Department of Defense’s history, the Pentagon does not have a press corps. This is a bigger deal than you think.
News outlets have been blocked from critical information regarding public interests and national security. Meaning, you’re cut off from knowing what the Pentagon is doing. The self-labeled “Most Transparent Administration in History!” just shut you out.
On Wednesday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth laid out his new rules. He expected the press to follow. Instead, dozens of news outlets handed in their press passes.
The rules that the majority of news outlets rejected turned a one-page contract into a 21-page contract, full of censorship.
The original contract, labeled “Security Awareness Briefing for Media Members,” was a list of 10 very standard rules like building passes (Pentagon Facilities Alternative Credentials, or PFACs) having to be worn all the time, remember to lock your doors, agree to go through an X-ray when you come in and even that you have to be in the building frequently to get PFACs.
You may argue that there is a need for more rules, to maintain security. It’s not an insane argument logically. However, the American people are entitled to transparency with how the government is spending tax dollars and the safety of the country. We have this in place so we can maintain accountability with our government because, after all, they work for us, not the other way around.
When we look at the new list of requirements, they’re a far cry from the former. Under “General Security,” it says, “Members of the news media do not possess a legal right to access the Pentagon; rather such access is a privilege.” Peter, that seems a little passive-aggressive.
He’s technically correct: it’s not a right. However, Hegseth forgets that he may “control” the Pentagon, but he can’t, in actuality, do whatever he wants. We have a little something called checks and balances. So while he can create as many rules as he wants on a piece of paper, there are laws that will come back to bite him.
It may not be a constitutional right for the press to have access to the Pentagon, but it is case law. In order to remove any press from the Pentagon, they have to go through procedures in which Hegseth would have to prove that the journalist needed to be kicked out for a valid reason, like posing a national security threat, per Sherrill v. Knight. Otherwise, it is illegal. So I wouldn’t exactly call that a privilege when someone is legally entitled to something.
Next, we have some (most likely purposeful) ambiguity. It’s something this administration loves to do: be vague in wording so they can cherry-pick from their own rules, so that they can decide who falls under the umbrella that they want them to. In this example, the contract says, “There is a critical distinction between lawfully requesting information from the government and actively soliciting or encouraging government employees to break the law.”
But what exactly falls under “soliciting?” My guess: whatever they feel like. If they don’t agree with it, it’s soliciting. If they like the questions, it’s just journalism.
I cannot even fathom the fact that Fox News, CBS News, ABC News, CNN and NBC all agreed on the same thing. Let me remind you that before Hegseth was the Secretary of Defense, he worked for Fox News. He’s one of their own.
The point of the news is to report information to consumers about current events so that they can make informed decisions or opinions. No news, no informed decisions and you’re left to rely on rumours and misinformation.
If you think we’re polarized now, just wait until all of the facts are gone and we’re only left with people’s opinions and speculations, with no solid facts to back it up.
It’s no surprise that the government and the press have clashed. That’s why we have the First Amendment. Speech gives power to the people. It allows us to be educated and educate others by sharing opinions, news and research. We’re a huge country, full of different people, cultures and events happening all over the place. The only way we can be connected and up to date is with the press.
The Free Press Clause is a part of the First Amendment that validates that the press has the same freedom of speech as any individual. The government cannot prohibit or target the press, the same way they can’t prohibit any American.
Of course, there are limits, including defamation and concerns about national security. The press cannot share classified information that could threaten national security, which is what Pete Hegseth is claiming is happening in order to take away the freedom of the press. At this point, I don’t even know if they’re really trying to hide their intentions anymore. They’ve lied a lot, but dare I say they used to make it a bit more convincing?
I mean, this has to be one of the most unbelievable arguments to come out of this administration, considering Hegseth was the same man who discussed classified Yemen war plans in a Signal group chat not too long ago. He didn’t have just one leak of classified information, but two, when it came out that he was sharing classified information with his wife. You’re telling me that his reason for limiting the press was “fear for national security?” I’m not buying it.
It makes you wonder what’s really happening in the Pentagon that they’re rethinking how to best handle the press, and how to best block them out. More so, block you out.
When the government restricts the press, it restricts you.
