A press conference at Pentagon. Credit Line: Rod Lamkey / Getty Images / Profimedia
An order signed by the US Secretary of Defense on Friday, Pete Hegseth, requires journalists to be officially accompanied by the Pentagon building and recognizes the responsibility to protect classified and sensitive national information, according to Reuters, quoted by News.ro.
This is the most recent in a series of restrictions imposed on the press by the Trump administration. Basically, the measure announced by Pete Hegseth prohibits the access of reporters accredited in most of the Defense Department's headquarters, Virginia, except in cases of official approval and an attendant.
“Although the department remains employed in transparency, it also has the obligation to protect classified information (CSNI) and sensitive information-whose unauthorized disclosure could endanger the lives of US armed forces,” Hegseth said in a memorandum.
“We also anticipate a future announcement on additional security measures and increased surveillance on the issuance of cards,” the memorandum shows.
Also, the US Secretary of Defense called the protection of classified information of national interest and operational security “an unwavering imperative for the department”.
Pentagon's press reaction
The Pentagon Press Association, an organization of members representing the interests of the group of journalists reporting on the activity of the American army, said that the new rules seem to be “a direct attack on the freedom of the press.”
“The decision would be supported by concerns about operational security. But the Pentagon's press body had access, for decades, to unprotected, not classified, in the Pentagon, both under Republican and Democrats, including after the attacks of September 11, 2001, without any concern about the operational security (OP-Sec).”
The Pentagon did not respond immediately to the Reuters request to comment on the statement of the Press Association.
Ever since President Donald Trump has returned to power in January, the Pentagon has started an investigation into information leaks that led to the placement of three officials on administrative leave.
He also asked for traditional media organizations, including the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN and NBC News, to release their Pentagon office spaces in a new rotation system that has brought other publications, including some friendly with the Trump administration, such as New York Post, Breitbart, Daily Caller and One America Network.
The Trump administration states that this measure aims to provide the media institutions the opportunity to relate as resident members of the press body.
