The Trump era Department of Defense, rebranded as the Department of War, has introduced new policies that have raised objections from the media. These policies concern access to the broad vastness of the Pentagon, including a clause that demands journalists not to disseminate information that has not been officially authorized.
A regulation such as this is among the latest in a string of directives under the leadership of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. His office has previously been involved in the practice of ‘evicting’ prominent news organizations from the regular media spaces within the Pentagon premises.
The policies regarding the dissemination of information were relayed to press agencies in an explanatory memorandum during the last workday of the week. The memo stated that the Department seeks to uphold transparency to foster trust and accountability towards the public.
However, it added caution that any piece of information, even if the information is not classified, should be authorized for publication by the Department before the media can officially relay the same information to the public. This rule, the memo emphasized, remains integral to their operations.
Another aspect of this policy affects the movement of reporters inside the Pentagon. The new regulation restricts the locations reporters are free to access without the necessity of an escort.
Journalists are being put in a position where they will need to assent to these conditions. This has been enforced through a new practice of having reporters sign a declaration pledging their adherence to the fresh set of restrictions.
The new policy does go one step further, however. It touches on the issue of credentials – stipulating the conditions in which they might be rejected, taken back, or not renewed at all.
Being ‘reasonably deemed’ a security or safety threat could serve as grounds for such actions against any given person. This is a broad condition that could potentially cover a range of scenarios.
The wide-ranging threat assessment includes actions that are identified as ‘unprofessional conduct.’ This policy particularly covers any behavior that could interfere or disrupt the normal operations within the Pentagon.
These behaviors might also cover maneuvers by any person to ‘improperly obtain’ data that is either classified or controlled and unclassified. The policy is specific and unambiguous in identifying such attempts as a possible threat.
These policies have sparked criticism and opened debates regarding their implications. The primary concerns are the real effects these will have on press freedom and the overall transparency of military operations.
These detractors argue that the language of the policies leaves room for different interpretations. The term ‘unprofessional conduct,’ they say, can be stretched to fit various scenarios that do not necessarily disrupt operations or pose a security threat.
Another point of debate is on the clause requiring media outlets to seek authorized approval before divulging any information. Critics argue that this may obstruct the timely dissemination of important information, thereby jeopardizing the press’s role in holding the military accountable.
Overall, these restrictions seem to cast a large net, and their potential impacts on the press and public transparency of military operations cannot be overlooked. These concerns point to a larger dialogue about the balance between national security and press freedom.
The post Pentagon Introduces New Media Policies Under Trump Era appeared first on Real News Now.
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